2020 marks 50-years since the Monaghan county footballers made their first trip abroad, a feat which required wholesale changes to club fixtures and a huge amount of planning. It is still something that is remembered fondly in the county writes John P Graham.

Monaghan’s footballing fortunes in the 1960s were disappointing to say the least even though club football in the county at that time was regarded as being very strong. A quick scan of the records will show that Monaghan failed to even get to an Ulster Final in the 1960's having last achieved that in 1952 and last won it in 1938, but the 1970's, or at least the end of that decade was to change all that. 

On the club scene the 1970's was to be dominated by two clubs, Castleblayney and Scotstown but in most things it really was a case of the big four, Clontibret and Ballybay being there along with the two aforementioned clubs and although both had gone back a little from their heyday. Clontibret were to reach two more Championship Finals and Ballybay were to play their part in another few but neither was to have the honour of winning the Championship in that decade.

On the inter county scene 1970 started fairly well with Monaghan beating Armagh by 1-4 to 0-5 points in a national league match in Lurgan but then they slipped back to their old ways with defeat by Tyrone in the Dr. McKenna Cup, 1-7 to 1-6, Fermanagh by 1-11 to 0-5 after a replay of the Ulster Junior Championship and by Antrim, 4-11 to 1-6 in the under 21 Football Championship in Belfast on May 24th. There was a ray of hope when Monaghan overcame Armagh by 3-7 to 1-7 in the first round of the Ulster Senior football championship at Castleblayney but then they fell to Antrim by 2-10 to 1-8 in Newry on July 5th with the following team: Paul McCarthy (Ballybay), Sean Hughes (Clontibret), Brendan Connolly (Drumhowan), Paddy Kerr ( Ballybay), Sean Mone (Clontibret), Terry McElvaney (Monaghan Harps), Eamon Keenan (Scotstown), Francie Ward (Magheracloone), Pacie Forde (Drumhowan), Gerry Fitzpatrick (Castleblayney), Sean Woods (Clontibret), Brian McDonald (Castleblayney), Tommy Mone ( Oram), Joe Caroll (Inniskeen), Eamon Tavey (Castleblayney). Antrim led by 1-6 to 1-3 at half-time and Monaghan’s scorers on the day were Sean Woods 0-6, Barney McDonald 1-1 and Gerry Fitzpatrick 0-1.

So another year in the championship wilderness for the county team after expectations had been so high.

1970 though will be remembered for one other big event and that was the famous American trip to New York, Monaghan’s first ever trip abroad. Because of the trip to New York the County Championship got under way much earlier than usual, starting on May 17.

County champions. Ballybay had preliminary round wins over Currin and Magheracloone, but then surrendered their title in the semi final when they were beaten by Castleblayney, a single point separating them at Carrickmacross, 1-9 to 1-8 on July 12th. 

Castleblayney now faced Clontibret in the final, having already defeated and Donaghmoyne and Toome in the earlier rounds..  Clontibret had defeated Killeevan and Monaghan Harps  and while they showed great determination they could not match Castleblayney on the day who went on to win by 1-10 to 9 points. 

Like Ballybay the previous year Castleblayney went out of the Ulster Club Championship at the first hurdle, they held Crossmaglen to a draw at Castleblayney, 1-8 each, but lost the replay by 2 points, 1-7 to 1-5, in Crossmaglen. 

Because of the American trip the concluding stages of the senior leagues were postponed until 1971 with Scotstown, taking the Owen World Cup and Sean McDermotts, winning the Fr. Hackett-Cup. Killanny won the Junior football championship when they beat Tyholland in the final and Truagh  took their first county title at adult level when they captured the Dr Ward Cup, defeating tyholland in the final.

The big event of 1970 was of course the trip to New York and what an occasions this proved to be. An early brainchild of the late Eamonn Fitzpatrick, it was taken up with gusto by that great Magheracloone Gael, Alan Clancy, who organised everything on the American side of the Atlantic and the official party of 32 plus the other 135 who also made the trip were in for an unforgettable experience.

In all 176 people made the trip. They boarded the Aer Lingus jet St Enda, at Dublin airport on September 26th and later that year.

Then secretary of Monaghan County Board, Francie McAtavey described it thus in its Annual Report: “those of us who were fortunate enough to take part in the tour will never forget it. Monaghan, so long in the doldrums, were now experiencing what is usually reserved for teams at the top. And what a three weeks it proved to be. From the moment we set foot on the tarmac at Kennedy Airport to the time we boarded the aircraft for home again, we were feted and treated as if in fact we were All-Ireland champions. Certainly no champions ever had it any better.”

The account goes on to speak of the fact that every Monaghan exile and all their friends and relations were at Kennedy Airport that Saturday and again at Gaelic Park the next day, when Monaghan played their New York counterparts in a game that was played in a downpour.

A game against Hartford, Connecticut, the following Sunday and again against the New York Monaghan team on the third Sunday were the matches on the tour, but the hospitality of our hosts, particularly that amazing official reception in Jager House, New York, on Friday, October 9th, the trips to the Statue of Liberty, to Arlington Cemetery, to atop the Empire State Building, and all the other touristy things will live long in the memory of those who were fortunate enough to be the guests on that occasion and it was a tired but happy bunch that returned to Ireland in mid-October.

The official touring party was as follows; Officials; Michael Duffy (chair Monaghan Co. Board), Francie McAtavey (secretary), Paddy O'Rourke (Treasurer), Eamon Fitzpatrick (Asst Secretary), Seamus McCluskey (Ulster Council), Hughie McKearney (team manager), John McArdle (team trainer), Gerry Farrell (team masseur). 

Players; Gerry Fitzpatrick (Castleblayney), Sean Hughes (Clontibret), Brendan Connolly (Drumhowan), Paddy Kerr (Ballybay), Eamon McAleer (Ballybay), Packie Forde (Drumhowan), Sean Moen (Clontibret), Francie Ward (Magheracloone), Sean McCrudden (Scotstown), Brian McDonald (Castleblayney), Eamon Keenan (Ballybay), Eamon Tavey (Castleblayney), Joe Caroll (Inniskeen), Declan McCabe (Killeevan), Francie McQuaid (Clontibret), Joe Sullivan (Monaghan Harps), Seamus Mulligan (Sean McDermotts), Noel Farnan (Clontibret), Cathal McCarthy (Ballybay), Declan McFarland (Killeevan), Tommy Moen (Oram), Mickey Quinn (Oram), Brendan McCaul (Magheracloone). The touring party was accompanied by the then President of the Ulster Council Mick Feeney. 

Immediately on their return from New York Monaghan were back in action in the National Football League and the effects of the wining and dining were obviously still being felt as Monaghan lost their first two games, but won the third and drew the fourth before Christmas, Westmeath 1-11, Monaghan 2-1 at Castleblayney on October 25th, Armagh, 1-7, Monaghan 2-3 at Armagh, on November 1st, Monaghan 2-8, Tyrone 1-7 at Carrickmacross on November 15th and Monaghan 2-6, Laois 1-9 at Portlaoise on November 29th and despite mixed fortunes on the playing field, it was quite a happy Annual Convention that was held in the four seasons hotel, Monaghan, on Sunday, December 13th 1970, with memories of the American Trip still the main topic of conversation.

 

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