Monaghan, Donal
May 19, 1995
It's Donegal For MONAGHAN
It is an amazing statistic, that one of the powers of latter day gaelic football, Donegal didn't reach its first provincial final until losing the 1963 decider to Down by a 10 point margin. Another abortive attempt against the same opposition in 1966 followed (1-7 to 0-8), before success finally came the way of the north- western county at the third time of asking, with the vanquishing of the Tyrone challenge in 1972 (2-13 to 1-11).
One of the heroes of the historic victory was right corner back, Donal Monaghan. His efforts received due acknowledgement when he was named as a replacement All-Star following in the footsteps of one Brian McEnif, the county's first ever full award winner.
The Four Masters clubman came back two years later to propel Donegal into the All-Ireland series for the second time, turning in a man of the match performance in the Ulster final replay against old rivals Down, which they won by three points (the first game score was 1-14 to 2-11). He was duly given the right corner-back slot on the 1974 All-Star team which travelled to San Francisco and New York.
Monaghan made his inter-county debut for the Minors in 1965 when they were well beaten by eventual All-Ireland champions Derry. Senior recognition arrived three years later.
"Donegal had a great team in the 60s but had this misfortune to come up against that excellent Down side. Then came a new era from '68 when a lot of young lads, myself included were added to the Senior panel.
"I played in the League semi-final against Offaly in '69 and that team progressed to win two provincial Championships.
"That first Ulster title victory was great. It was definitely the highlight of my career," enthuses the man who gave 13 years service to the green and golds.
"Beating Down in '74 was sweet as well because they had a good reputation. It is also memorable for me because I played my best game ever in the replay and was named man of the match."
Donal retired from the inter county stage in 1978, by which time he had represented his province in the Railway Cup.
"I played three years, from 1973 to '75. We got to the final in '75 but lost to Munster. The competition was taken very seriously then but not anymore. I don't know why. There just doesn't seem to be as much interest, although Brian McEniff has brought the pride in the Ulster jersey back. Winning six in a row is some achievement. I don't know if that's because the the others aren't bothered or because Ulster has the best footballers."
Methinks it is because the best players have northern accents. And Donal is leaning toward that view also.
"You look at Donegal. They have to play Derry in the League final, then Down in the first round of the Championship. If they get through that, it will be Derry again. You're talking about the best teams in the country meeting each other and they're all from Ulster."
Monaghan won two Championships with Four Masters, one at the start of his career, and one at the end.
"We won a Junior Championship in 1966 when I was only a young lad. It was a great thrill for me as I was playing on the same team as my boyhood hero and the man who had a major influence on my career, PJ Flood. He was a superstar on the Donegal side. Even though he was from Pettigo he often played with us because they couldn't always field a team."
Four Masters annexed the Senior title in 1982, beating Kilcar in a tense affair for the players, but exciting for the attendance.
"It was a very tight game, with only a couple of points separating the teams. Both the McHughs (Martin and James) were playing. They were young men then, not that they are old now. That was the highlight of my club playing days."
Two years later, at the age of 33, his career was terminated by a knee ligament injury. "It was disappointing to have to give up when I felt there was more in the tank! But I was fortunate to win a Championship before having to retire."
Donal names the great Frank McGuigan (Tyrone) as the best player he ever saw. "He had everything. He had all the attributes needed to become a top class footballer and was a clean player as well. It's a pity that the car crash had to finish his career prematurely. Donegal's Sean Ferriter was also a great player, who shone regularly from the middle of the field."
Anthony Molloy and Martin McHugh were the main pivots of Donegal football over the last 10 years, according to Donal. He laments the loss of the wee Kilcar man to Cavan management.
"He shouldn't have been let away. All the other 31 counties would pick him. He has a great football brain and is very clever. Martin has a lot of football left in him. Well, our loss is Cavan's gain." The sigh is barely audible but it is heartfelt.
Speaking of McHugh leads us to discussing Donegal's possession conscious brand of football which he has bought to the Breffni County. This in turns leads us to discussing the asininity of the two hand pass rule which was introduced for the National League.
"They just have to get rid of it. It serves absolutely no purpose, except to give the ball away. Donegal and Derry will have to play with those rules next Sunday and then just a week later, they will be gone. It is very difficult for players and referees to adapt."
Now that he is a successful businessman, having formed Donegal Tyre Centre in 1977, you might think Donal has better things to do than talk GAA. Wrong. This is a football man through and through who likes nothing better than to discuss the game. After all it's in his blood.
"My father was a Fermanagh man and his brother Johnny Monaghan, played for Ulster in the 30s. My brother Francis, was a Donegal Minor in the early 60s but broke his leg soon after and never came back from that."
It is little wonder therefore that his sons are extremely talented athletes also. Marcus (12) is already beginning to make a name for himself, but the limelight will be on his older brothers on Sunday, when they line out for Donegal against Leitrim in the curtain raiser a Croke Park, the All-Ireland Vocational Schools final.
"I am really looking forward to it," enthuses the proud father. "Myself, my wife Margaret, and Marcus, will be on a high before it. Barry (16) can play at midfield or in the forwards, while Don (18) can play anywhere in the backs. He only came on as a sub in the semi-final against Kerry because he had been injured." Barry and Don already have two All-Ireland medals..in basketball. "They got them with the Four Masters Vocational School. Hopefully they will add to them on Sunday." And what about the League final?
"Well, I think the return of James McHugh and Martin Gavigan to the fold has been a big boost for Donegal. McHugh was man of the match in the semi-final, scoring 1-3. Gavigan has been out for a long time. He is a big, strong, physical man without being dirty. If he's playing centre-back, you won' t solo up the middle.
"I think with them and Tony Boyle (who missed the semi-final due to injury) back, Donegal have a great chance. They are just coming back to form."
Getting so far in the League shouldn't have any bearing on their Championship display either in Donal's view.
"I'm not worried by the fact that the Championship is on a week afterwards. The only problem could be injuries.
"I mean the Ulster Championship is extremely difficult to win anyhow. Down, Derry, Donegal and Tyrone could win it. A couple of the others could too, but there's only the kick of a ball between those four. I think it is a case of whoever comes out of Ulster will win the All-Ireland".
How things have changed, eh Donal? "In my time, any team which won the Ulster Championship, with the possible exception of Down, went to Croke Park and it was a cap in hand job. Now the teams are more confident. I can't see the Ulster monopoly ending yet". Join the club.
Taken from Hogan Stand magazine
19th May, 1995
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