Monaghan must iron out their inconsitencies if they want to make a mark
THE commonly-held belief that last year’s football Championship was a drab affair, fails to take into account the colour that Monaghan brought to the summer. It was especially evident on the August Bank Holiday weekend when the Ulster side delivered in some style by reaching a first All-Ireland semi-final in 30 years.
The Farney Army invaded the pitch after Galway were swept aside that Saturday night in Pearse Stadium. It was a performance that suggested Malachy O’Rourke’s side had matured and were reaching their peak. Eight days later in Croke Park though, they were edged out by Tyrone in a battle typical of their rivalry.
It was also true to Monaghan’s nature. One massive leap forward followed by a step backward. It was the same last weekend. Following their impressive win over All-Ireland champions Dublin in Clones, Monaghan rocked up at Dr Hyde Park and were beaten by Roscommon.
So, as Galway arrive in Inniskeen this afternoon, it is expected that Monaghan will take another of those small steps forward. Kevin Walsh’s side are in bad shape without talisman Damien Comer and the Corofin contingent. Victory is the least that Monaghan’s passionate support expect at this stage.
But it should be the springboard for an assault on the Allianz League title and a place in the final at the end of March. In public, Monaghan will suggest they don’t set targets in spring, but after putting Dublin to the sword, O’Rourke and his players must have thought about outright success and emulating the great Farney side who captured a League title in 1985.
In recent decades, all Monaghan teams have been measured against Sean McCague’s great side who made it to the All-Ireland semi-final in 1988. The current team have won two Ulster titles, 2013 and 2015, to sit beside triumphs in ’85 and ’88 by McCague’s men.
But O’Rourke’s Monaghan team have remained at football’s top table since that Ulster title success six years ago. They have consistently been a top-eight team and, some would argue, were second best to Dublin only last term.
In an age when the Dubs’ dominance is threatening to destroy Gaelic football, O’Rourke’s lads have been one of the few teams to consistently put it up to Jim Gavin’s side, beating them on the last two occasions when they have squared off.
And O’Rourke masterminded the most recent win over Jim Gavin’s men when starting with two rookies – Michéal Bannigan and David Garland – in his full-forward line.
Stephen O’Hanlon looks another bright prospect but is suspended this afternoon. Much has been made of Monaghan having the fourth smallest population in the
country, but O’Rourke continues to find players to complement talents like Conor McManus and Jack McCarron. As his side made waves during last summer, he changed tack and selected his teams based on form. Those who showed well in training, played. Those who didn’t were left on the bench. His squad deepened as a result.
The manner in which the Fermanagh native used his substitutions last summer was also widely noted. Colin Walshe and Conor McCarthy changed the game in the Ulster Championship win over Tyrone. Springing Kieran Hughes from the bench in the AllIreland semi-final almost paid off. McManus played the impact sub role against Dublin a couple of weeks ago. However, until they follow up a ground-breaking win with a ground-out victory, Monaghan will remain on the periphery. Easily in the top six, they aren’t real challengers to Dublin.
It’s up to them to change that perception, starting against the Tribesmen today.