Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
COME TOO FARN TO GO BACK
Dick doesn’t foresee a return to also-ran status for Monaghan
DICK CLERKIN started out with Monaghan when they were Championship also-rans but now reckons they’ve left those days behind for good.
Since reaching their first Ulster final in 19 years in 2007 the Farney men have gone from strength to strength, peaking with two Ulster titles and sustained Division One League status. It’s beyond the stage where it could be described as just a golden generation, as older heads like Clerkin and Paul Finlay (inset) have moved on yet Monaghan continue to compete at a level that belies their 60,000 population. And there’s no reason why that should change, says Clerkin, given the sense of unity that prevails in the county. He explains: “We will always be competitive in any given year. The culture and structure we have at the moment means there is more chance of us staying around. “We have a very good structures coming through at underage development teams. “There is a great relationship between clubs, the county teams, sponsors and the county board. “We probably take it for granted that it is there. “All the best club footballers play football for Monaghan. That doesn’t happen everywhere and is constantly a problem in a lot of counties of a similar size. And that is a massive thing. “It is not terribly difficult to replicate what Monaghan do because there are definitely 15 or 20 top quality players in every county. But you have to have them there. “It is not enough to have them for a couple of years. The likes of myself and Paul Finlay were needed to keep it all knitted together because some years, things just don’t go your way. “Fermanagh, for instance, had a burst for a few years but then they slipped back.” Clerkin is clear about who deserves most of the credit for the Farney’s success. “Sponsors, supporters, county board officials, management can come and go. The constant has been the players who have played a huge role. “There are no big egos. It is just a healthy, enjoyable, competitive environment. “You take the flak with the defeats and celebrate the victories. “You don’t see that everywhere and it is only when you go around other counties, and listen to other players, that you realise how dysfunctional so many places are.” Clerkin expects Monaghan to see off Fermanagh on Saturday. “Monaghan should be confident. They are coming off the back of a good League. “Fermanagh, by all accounts, are undergoing difficulties. they had a disappointing League, they lost a few players. If it was in Brewster, I’d give them a bit of a chance because Fermanagh are good there. “Monaghan are very strong in Clones so, to that end, I can’t see anything but a Monaghan victory.”