Monaghan pulled off one of the most unforgettable comebacks in recent Ulster Championship history, and the players are still buzzing after their wild extra-time win over Derry. Goalkeeper Rory Beggan, who played the hero with a clutch two-point free at the death, summed it up simply: "Unbelievable."

Let's set the scene. Monaghan looked down and out after a tough first half and a disappointing relegation just weeks earlier. But as Beggan told BBC Sport NI, the team refused to quit. "If you'd asked us a couple of weeks ago, probably not, but we just knuckled down. It couldn't get much worse, but we just put the heads down." That grit and resilience is exactly what makes championship football so special.

The drama really heated up at the end of normal time. With the hooter sounded and a sideline ball still to be taken, referee Noel Mooney initially seemed ready to blow the final whistle. But Beggan and teammate David Garland stepped in, calmly reminding the official about a rule change that allows a set-piece after the hooter. "I just said, 'When the ball's dead before the hooter, you have a chance,' so he corrected himself," Beggan explained. "Big Davy Garland helped him as well." That moment of quick thinking gave Monaghan a lifeline.

Then came the extra-time heroics. Beggan's two-point free sealed the victory, but he's already looking ahead. "We've won nothing. We have an Ulster final to play now in Clones. First time since 2015 that we are back there on Ulster final day. That kick just gets us there. There are bigger ones to hit in the final." For a team that thrives on pressure, this is just the beginning.

Jack McCarron also had a massive role, nailing a two-pointer to force extra time. He drew on a similar experience from last year's championship against Donegal. "A few of the Derry players were coming over to shake our hands. It was a bit demoralising, but we got an opportunity to hit it. The rule was changed, and there was no point in dwelling." That cool-headedness under pressure is what separates champions from contenders.

So what's next for Monaghan? They'll face either Down or Armagh in the Ulster final, but the mindset stays the same. "We'll take whoever it is," Beggan said. "Nothing will change. We'll keep training hard and prepare the best we can." With players like Beggan and McCarron—both dead-ball specialists—every free kick becomes a moment of magic. As they gear up for the big day in Clones, one thing is certain: this team knows how to deliver when it matters most. Gear up for the final with your own match-day essentials, because you never know when you'll need that extra bit of belief.