Some great suggestions already in the likes of Liam Kearns, Stephen Rochford (which I think would be great but unlikely he would come to Monaghan), some representatives of the recent very successful underage background teams including Dinky Mc Bride, Niall Moyna, a combination of forwards/midfield/backs coaches such as Ray Mc Carron/Hugo or Dick Clerkin/Damien Freeman, Banty. I am sure there are lots of others too that will emerge.


Despite all the negativity and doom and gloom at the moment, we are not actually in a bad place. We are in Division One which you would imagine will be difficult to remain as we blood a new team and trial different styles of football but with a lot of recent underage success and recent additions such as Niall Kearns, Barry Kerr, Stephen O'Hanlon and players like Beggan, Ryan Wylie, Darren and Kieran Hughes, Ryan Mc Anesbie, Mc Carthy and Mc Carron there is plenty of leaders and a good midfield and forward line which always appear to be were we have struggled in the past. We never seem to have any problems developing top quality aggressive defenders.

The key now is the players have a good rest, that some new options come to the fore over the Club Championships, the right management team are appointed. The new management team should not be too concerned about results but more about introducing new players and getting the forward line to gel and play much better, and most importantly bring in players that set standards at training and ensure Monaghan get their intensity and hunger back, which was clearly lacking this year. You can't help but feel the exodus of players like Dick Clerkin, Owen Lennon, Jinksy, Finley etc would have set a very high standard at training for a number of years which needs to be restored by the new and existing players within the panel and management team. Another key point is for the team to reduce their dependence on Mc Manus and encourage scoring from elsewhere. It was only natural that when you have one of the most talented players the game has ever seen on your side, who rarely missed and was often fouled, that the rest of the team would look for him all the time. However with Mc Manus coming towards the end of his playing days it's important the new style does not all revolve around him. In fact, I would like to see him used sparingly if at all during the National Football League to encourage different styles of play to develop.

It's far from doom and gloom and hopefully we will be back in an Ulster Final soon.

OrielPower (Monaghan) - Posts: 107 - 24/06/2019 11:15:14    2199751

If you want attacking football and a man that knows who's who in terms of potential players coming through look no further than Damien Freeman. I would have him a assistant and someone like Mc Entee or even Rochford. Someone shrewd and modest that will make changes as and when needed

By the way we are not dead and gone, we played s**t in the league and still stayed up. Only two or three of that squad that got to a semi final will be going by choice. Four or five have proven to not be good enough or suitable. I see no reason why we can't win 2-3 games in the League with a bit of freshening up and confidence back
Hold the obituaries

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 24/06/2019 11:40:49    2199771

He will be extremely difficult to replace. A gentleman by all accounts.

No rush in replacing him, Monaghan are in division 1 and that is a credit to them.

I've a feeling that there will be a few managerial casualties this weekend (whoever loses in newbridge for one has to go) so let the summer play out and see what happens.

Hell be hard replaced but wont be short on offers himself.

tulachmhór (Offaly) - Posts: 145 - 24/06/2019 15:11:40    2199987

I'm sorry for O'Rourke and Monaghan, they were seriously knocking on the door for a few years which is a great achievement in itself.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8586 - 24/06/2019 15:31:59    2200001

Gator (Monaghan) - Posts: 238 - 24/06/2019 16:26:34    2200032

Matt McGleenan? Did a decent job with Cavan and knows Monaghan club football very well. Lives fairly close to Monaghan so commuting would be no issue!

Ed (UK) - Posts: 156 - 24/06/2019 17:12:36    2200076

If giving Dick Clerkin a role gets him off twitter and the television and radio as a pundit then I wholeheartedly endorse Dick.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7885 - 24/06/2019 17:16:16    2200080

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5010 - 24/06/2019 17:17:42    2200081

BorderlineBlue (Monaghan) - Posts: 10 - 24/06/2019 18:12:15    2200117

Shelbourne1 (Monaghan) - Posts: 346 - 24/06/2019 20:55:46    2200263

Ciaran McBride
Mc Entee from Cross.
David Nelson use to be with Latton.
Gaby Bannigan, Monaghan man managing well in Dublin.
Banty.
Any others?
Jim McGuiness is been mentioned.
We still have the nucleus of a fine squad and I am grateful to Malachy for the service and days he gave us.
Any more suggestions people?

theborderfox (Monaghan) - Posts: 138 - 24/06/2019 21:33:22    2200299

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5010 - 25/06/2019 10:58:56    2200496

Aidan O'Rourke and Stephen Poacher will get it, had the Roscommon job apparently but pulled out late in the process.

Chubby (Louth) - Posts: 102 - 25/06/2019 11:38:17    2200523

Inaroundehouse (Cavan) - Posts: 975 - 25/06/2019 14:19:06    2200623

Shelbourne1 (Monaghan) - Posts: 346 - 25/06/2019 17:33:16    2200763

Shelbourne1 (Monaghan) - Posts: 346 - 25/06/2019 17:35:57    2200765

Shelbourne1 (Monaghan) - Posts: 346 - 25/06/2019 17:37:11    2200766

Chubby (Louth) - Posts: 102 - 25/06/2019 18:51:23    2200802

Shelbourne1 (Monaghan) - Posts: 346 - 25/06/2019 20:14:24    2200857

would Pat Gilroy be interested ???

farneygael (Monaghan) - Posts: 277 - 25/06/2019 20:42:36    2200879