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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: 1922 - 18/11/2016 18:12:32 1935400 Link 0 |
Agree with all that once in a generation Monaghan footballer used to laugh a few years back when hearing pundits say we only had one forward and this lad was sitting kicking his boots on the bench.Probably end of an era for us now with influence of Clerkin and Finlay gone.
seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1790 - 18/11/2016 18:32:52 1935404 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
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: 893 - 18/11/2016 20:37:21 1935421 Link 0 |
I don't like Monaghan. cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 4975 - 19/11/2016 01:14:31 1935440 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
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: 1922 - 19/11/2016 20:34:05 1935509 Link 0 |
Good player, not the once in a lifetime you are suggesting.
gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 19/11/2016 22:25:48 1935519 Link 1 |
He was for us
Adler (Monaghan) - Posts: 754 - 20/11/2016 02:50:25 1935532 Link 0 |
One of the most skillful & astute players ever to play with Monaghan, thanks Paul....... if only we could clone him!....... fitting that 2 great Legends bow out in the same month!
Monaghan Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 441 - 20/11/2016 14:49:57 1935566 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
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. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9070 - 21/11/2016 09:04:24 1935676 Link 0 |
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" BigJohn.6_8 (Galway) - Posts: 704 - 22/11/2016 11:36:25 1935929 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
Paul Finley was a class act when he was on form. dstuction (Donegal) - Posts: 1209 - 23/11/2016 08:27:43 1936149 Link 0 |
http://www.irishnews.com/sport/opinion/2016/11/22/news/headline-794471/ I think this article somes it up perfectly, if he was starting out his intercounty career now would he make it? In recent years he was fully fit, but did not fit the system the current Monaghan management team are playing, which is such a pity. CurlyFingers (Monaghan) - Posts: 52 - 23/11/2016 11:52:15 1936201 Link 0 |