As Conor McManus put it, the best left foot in the game bar one. Was a great servant to Monaghan over the last 14 seasons. Some day he was simply untouchable could put a ball in your lap from 50 yards. The most technically gifted footballer Monaghan ever produced. Playing with Ireland, Ulster, Monaghan and Ballybay with distinction. Just a shame the management didn't play him as often as many a supporter would have liked in the last few years. Thanks for all the memories. No one will ever forget him downing Armagh with the radar of a left foot.

shaggylegend (Monaghan) - Posts: 1928 - 18/11/2016 18:12:32    1935400

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1803 - 18/11/2016 18:32:52    1935404

A great footballer to watch in his prime. A brilliant left foot, a great footballing brain, brilliant vision and balance. It was great to see him collect some silverware towards the end of his career.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 18/11/2016 19:13:56    1935411

What a pity he never got his all star. He deserved one. Watched him play against Kerry in All Ireland last 8 I think in Croke Park. When Monaghan started dropping the heads with 4 minutes to go he stood out as he kept going and did his outmost to single Handley carry them over the line. What a fabulous player. He should have got more game time in the last two years.

border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 894 - 18/11/2016 20:37:21    1935421

I don't like Monaghan.

I always liked Paul Finlay.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5023 - 19/11/2016 01:14:31    1935440

Without doubt the finest footballer you'd ever see. The best minor we ever had, the best U21 and the best senior and top scorer all time for Monaghan. Always played the game with his head up, hence his passing accuracy. Extremely comfortable with both feet. It's no coincidence that Monaghan started to improve when he came on the scene and the same with Sligo IT. He played for every team he was eligible to play for which is a serious achievement, club, county, school, college, province and country. Was chronically underused in last couple of years. We will never see the like of him again.

Adler (Monaghan) - Posts: 754 - 19/11/2016 02:59:28    1935441

Sad reflection of the wider hoganstand posters when on 5 comments are posted on the topic of Paul Finlay. Either the people who know gaa don't want to comment or the vast majority are only hot topic posters

shaggylegend (Monaghan) - Posts: 1928 - 19/11/2016 20:34:05    1935509

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 19/11/2016 22:25:48    1935519

Adler (Monaghan) - Posts: 754 - 20/11/2016 02:50:25    1935532

Monaghan Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 442 - 20/11/2016 14:49:57    1935566

Not a huge Monahan fan but I did like Finlay. Seemed to be a natural leader type and never had a bad game either. 2 Ulster medals to look back on too.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 20/11/2016 16:19:42    1935577

Great player loved watching him play made it all look so easy will be a big miss for Monaghan

runnerin (Meath) - Posts: 202 - 20/11/2016 16:34:48    1935580

Seems a long time ago since he was a force for Monaghan but he was a good,clean footballer with a sweet left foot who excelled in scoring long range points.Ulster titles are hard won : even harder for Monaghan than a few others,so two titles is a great reward.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 20/11/2016 16:38:22    1935582

Very under rated footballer. If he was with one of the bigger counties would have had several all stars by now in my opinion. Saw him play for Sligo IT, god must be well over 10 years ago and he oozed quality.

WestsideWarrior (Galway) - Posts: 24 - 20/11/2016 17:32:08    1935592

Played football with Jap in New York one summer. Without doubt the best player I've ever trained and played with. He made it all look so easy with that languid style of his. It was a pleasure. If you made the run he'd put it right in your chest no matter what the distance or angle. An awesome free taker and a good, down to earth fella as well. I felt Monaghan under used him a wee bit in the last few years which was sad.

Enjoy the retirement Jap!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9171 - 21/11/2016 09:04:24    1935676

As an older Kerry Supporter said to me in croker one day when Monaghan were playing Kerry in the last eight ..."He would remind you of Maurice only he kicks with the left"

That compliment came from a former all star...

I met him at the Donegal mayo all ireland final at half time and was chatting to him a really nice bloke and talented player that made the game luck easy...

His lucky free against Meath in the div 2 2005 final sparked off what was an incredible rise to the top for Monaghan football for 10 years...

I often wonder would it have been different if Meath would have won that day?

BigJohn.6_8 (Galway) - Posts: 704 - 22/11/2016 11:36:25    1935929

Paul Finlay oooooooooozed class in his pomp. A fabulous intelligent footballer. I agree he was seriously underutilized in his last few years. But he can enjoy his retirement.

woops (Kerry) - Posts: 2073 - 22/11/2016 15:47:58    1936005

great footballer. I remember his dad kieran playing too (that shows you how old I am). along with Tommy Freeman and Conor Mcmanus The three best forwards for Monaghan. He must never have been 100% fit in his later years or surely he would have been a regular starter.

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 22/11/2016 23:57:01    1936139

Paul Finley was a class act when he was on form.
I remember many days where he beat us on his own.

Monaghan wouldn't have won Ulster in 2013 without him. Every time Donegal looked like getting back into it he would kick a point from 50 yards.

I do however think he was flawed in his inconsistency. On a bad day he was very bad though

dstuction (Donegal) - Posts: 1209 - 23/11/2016 08:27:43    1936149

CurlyFingers (Monaghan) - Posts: 52 - 23/11/2016 11:52:15    1936201