AGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

Hands may have been undone by a young gun but old stagers more than did their bit in an Ulster shock

- KARL O'KANE

MONAGHAN'S 'old guard' continue to confound their critics.

Despite again retaining their Division One status on the last day, few predicted they would turn over a resurgent Tyrone at Healy Park on Sunday.

Football's oldest stagers not only did that but they outgunned the 2021 All-Ireland champions by 2-11 to 0-9 in the second half, holding them scoreless for 16 minutes after the break.

One of the factors in most of the pre-match verdicts was Monaghan's age and a perceived over-reliance on players in their mid-30s.

Five of their starters at the weekend were over 30 Darren Hughes (36), Karl O'Connell (35), Conor McManus (35), skipper Kieran Duffy (32) and goalkeeper Rory Beggan (31).

And three were 29 - Jack McCarron, Conor Boyle and Ryan Wylie - so eight of the first 15 were 29 or over.

Only three starters were under 26 Thomas McPhillips (21), Karl Gallagher (21) and goalscoring hero Ryan O'Toole (23).