In the end, it was a bit of magic from Man of the Match Jack McCarron that helped Scotstown retain the Monaghan Senior Football title.
His snapshot midway through the second-half when he spotted Darren McDonnell off his line was the score that gave Scotstown control and ensured they claimed a 23rd senior title and made it back-to-back wins.
The corner-forward finished with 1-03, with all of the points from placed balls, but even that was impressive in itself on what was a tough afternoon with slippery underfoot conditions.
Clontibret sprung Dessie Mone and Vinny Corey off the bench, but the Scotstown defence stood tall with Kieran Hughes the conductor.
Conor McManus scored three points – one a fantastic sideline ball, the other two frees – while he did go looking for goals at the end against a packed Scotstown defence.
The first-half saw Scotstown open the scoring with a trademark ‘45 from Rory Beggan, followed by a free from McCarron.
Clontibret did have their chances, but six wides in the opening 30 minutes showed that, while they did have the majority of the ball, they were just not making it count, with Darragh Hughes getting their first score from a mark after 12 minutes.
Scotstown: R Beggan (0-02), D Murray, S Treanor, J McDevitt (0-01), R Toole, D McArdle (0-01) C McCarthy (0-01), M McCarville, G McPhillips, K Hughes, S Carey (0-02), J Hamill, M Maguire, D Hughes, J McCarron (1-03).
Subs: J Carey for S Treanor, F Maguire for M Maguire, M Mc Phillips for J Hamill, D Morgan for J Mc Deviitt, N Sherlock for D Murray.
Clontibret: D Mc Donnell, J Gormley, C Boyle, C Doyle, D Mc Donnell, K Lavelle (0-01), A Carey, K Greenan, F Hughes (0-01), C McCooey, D Hughes (0-01), B Greenan, C Greenan, R McGuigan (0-01), C McManus (0-03).
Subs: D Mone (0-01) for C Greenan, D McDonnell for K Greenan, V Corey for C McCooey, C Greenan for R McGuigan.
Referee: M McNally (Corduff)