Paul: This MAY be our last shot at it

FARNEY TEAM MIGHT BE AT THE END OF ITS SHELFLIFE SAYS FINLAY

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PEN pics provided in GAA match programmes can be notoriously unreliable.

Take Donegal’s Ryan Mchugh for instance. Apparently, he was a spritely 25-year-old when he featured against Armagh in Ballybofey, but the Kilcar ace had aged three years by the time he lined out against Derry in last Sunday’s Ulster SFC final in Clones.

Even allowing for the odd discrepancy, the Monaghan teams selected by Seamus Mcenaney for their two Championship outings to date were older than any other side in Ulster.

The combined age of Monaghan’s starting 15 against Down was 415 – an average of 27.6.

The average age of the team moved over 28 when Shane Carey (30) replaced Andrew Woods (22) for their semi-final defeat to Derry.

Monaghan legend Paul Finlay called time on his inter-county career at 33. The likes of Conor Mcmanus (34) and Darren Hughes (35) are already past that milestone while impact subs Drew Wylie and Karl O’connell are aged 35 and 34 respectively.

Finlay knows a core group of players have gone to the well many times for Monaghan over the last decade and he says they’ve only so many chances left at the highest level.

“A big part of the current Monahan squad have been around for a long time,” said Finlay, who won two Ulster titles with Monaghan in 2013 and 2015.

“If this isn’t their last hurrah, then it will be next year – they can’t go on forever.

“No matter what age you are, you should play like it is your last year because you never know.”

In order for Mcenaney’s men to prolong their season, they’ll have to overcome Mayo in Castlebar on Saturday afternoon.

Joe Mcdonagh Cup final Tailteann Cup quarter-final

Last year’s beaten All-ireland finalists clinched a two-point victory in Clones when the sides met in the League.

Being rerouted via the Qualifiers wasn’t part of either team’s agenda and James Horan’s side have much greater experience of navigating the back door series.

However, just two wins would see Mayo or Monaghan back in an All-ireland SFC quarter-final and Finlay says that should be enough to refocus the minds of the Farney players.

“It doesn’t get much tougher than Mayo, but it is probably a good thing for Monaghan to avoid the other Ulster teams, Armagh and Tyrone,” added Finlay.

“They landed the other Division One team in Mayo and an away draw also. It is ultra difficult.

“I don’t think too many from outside the camp will be giving them much of a chance.

“Hopefully, both teams bring out the best in each other and it should be a belter of a game. If Monaghan bring their best, they’ll certainly have a chance.

“It is probably one of the most open All-irelands in years.

“Monaghan would feel like, with a big win in Mayo, they could get their season back on track.”

The Monaghan panel has an average age of over 28 and it is a worry for Paul Finlay LET’S GO FOR IT Paul Finlay back in 2007 after losing the All-ireland quarter-final WEEKEND FIXTURE LIST TOMORROW Leinster SHC final Galway v Kilkenny, Croke Park, 7pm – RTE2 All-ireland SFC Qualifiers round 1 Clare v Meath, Cusack Park, 6pm – GAAGO; Mayo v Monaghan, Castlebar, 4pm – Sky; Cork v Louth, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 2pm – GAAGO Antrim v Kerry, Croke Park, 5pm – RTE2 Offaly v New York, O’connor Park, 2pm – GAAGO Sunday 5 June Munster SHC final Clare v Limerick, Semple Stadium, 4pm – RTE2 All-ireland SFC round 1 Armagh v Tyrone, Athletic Grounds, 1.30pm – RTE2 Tailteann Cup quarter-finals Fermanagh v Cavan, Brewster Park, 4pm; Leitrim v Sligo, Carrick-on-shannon, 3pm – GAAGO; Carlow v Westmeath, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm