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Monaghan GAA thread

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Replying To seanie08:  "Lots of things. Father time catching up on golden generation,younger lads not ready or not good enough players taking a year or two out and the worst run of injuries in years along with our most influential player of past decade leaving the game . To be fair to Vinny noone else wanted the job in 2022 and he got us to an all ireland semi final last season but the opinion of those who werent interested in the job was likely based on the longer term than just last season and it aint looking good. No idea what story is with injuries if players are just being overtrained or what but v hard to see monaghan having near enough their best 15 players until the group stages end of may. If Cavan dont beat us tyrone will or derry will just rinse us for 3rd year running in ulster. On the goalkeeping situation i dont know the answer but a change is badly needed as no confidence in current set up and come white heat of chanpionship teams will target this. Awful pity kieran hughes has retired as id actually look at playing him in goals if he was still about. Modern game needs goalkeeper to be comfortable on the ball out the field."
Ah sure if Cavan don't beat us, Tyrone will and if they don't Derry will. God but you are a genius.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 473 - 25/03/2024 00:18:03    2533400

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Lavelle was a head clash injury, Ward was taken off as precaution, Bannigan to be assessed but hopefully too serious. Leonard an ankle problem will take time, McAnespie and O'Hanlon are making progress it seems. I'm glad I stopped in Broomfield for a coffee this morning to hear all that!
Does Woods red card carry to championship? Opinions vary on that one

Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1187 - 25/03/2024 09:04:56    2533431

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Replying To monaghanmad:  "Was a decent performance today, thought mc nulty and Irwin showed well and worked extremely hard. Jones looks like the partner for Mansy and jack and only needed 50 minutes t impress compared to others who have got the guts of a league.

Injuries are a real killer and hopefully most are back for 2 weeks time. Bannigan is the biggest loss, he is the heartbeat of the team and if he is gone then the cavan game has got a lot tougher.

As for the goalkeeping situation, it has now gone beyond a joke, he should have been substituted at half time v Galway and now today again. He also cant get short kick outs off and he had a simple pop out to Karl at a vital time in the second half and hung it too high. Vinny cant really do much now, its gone too far to bring someone else in and I would fear for him in the championship. Cavan will hunt him down like never before and the pressure will be greater.

I honestly think we have the artillery to go far into the championship as I think we are due to peak and a lot of our most vital players haven't played that much this year and they will come to the fore on the championship."
agree with the goalkeeping scenario...dont necessarily agree slating lads but you're half right at least. I questioned this during the mckenna cup too. we used the same goalkeeper for all mckenna cup and all of the league. At least if responsibility was shared we could argue over who we'd prefer to see in there and it might well be o'donnel but even for his own sake, it seems like his position wont be challenged. Nobody on the team should be a guaranteed starter.

back to the leaked goals. my opinion is that most goals in gaelic are not the goalkeepers fault and the defence needs to be looked at. Id argue that beggan would also have leaked considerable goals with the same defence in front of him. Having said that he was at fault for some.

A goalies job in the modern game is distribution first and foremost now.

I know from a reliable source that a Donegal training session, prior to playing Monaghan, a couple years ago solely focused on beggans kickout strategy. Thats all they focused on before the game.

Somebody else mentioned bringing in an outfield player for the role. Id fully endorse that. At least then all options have been exhausted...Down are doing it, cavan did it, armagh and kerry. The position has changed drastically in the last 10 years...
Question - Does this make a mokery of goalkeepers plying their trade around the county?
Answer - I don't care. Conor mccarthy was moved to half back last year and got an all star. Whats the difference to moving a decent outfielder into goals?

MalsBalls (Monaghan) - Posts: 220 - 25/03/2024 11:23:34    2533483

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I missed the game yesterday and as RTE decided we were not even worthy of a short highlights package can't make any comment on it, but talking to a few who were at it, the general consensus is there needs to be a change in Keeper. On the topic of outfield players stepping into goal, in Darren Hughes we have a ready made keeper. I believe he played keeper as a Minor and he definitely played in goals during the run to the 2010 Ulster final (not sure if he played the final) so he has the fundamentals. He definitely knows how to keep a defence organised and he would of course be comfortable in open play and general distribution. Its a bit late in the day to start chopping and changing before the Cavan match, but should there be a crash and burn defensively during that game then there could be worse ideas to work on before the All Ireland series.

TheHunter (Monaghan) - Posts: 16 - 25/03/2024 14:02:30    2533579

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I'm not sure you can bring anther goalkeeper in that hasn't been in the squad for the last few years for the McKenna Cup or the League. There will have been systems in place and players will have gotten used to playing with goalkeepers in training. They will know when to time the run as the goal places the ball. There will be differences in how the ball travels from keeper to keeper, some have driven kicks, some softer and some curly. Despite how it looks on tv or at a game a lot of work goes into kick outs and its a major area of focus for opposition as a way to win the ball.

MrPBoylan (Monaghan) - Posts: 233 - 25/03/2024 14:14:39    2533589

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I actually don't think it's all doom and gloom after the league.
Yes we know we have deficiencies in certain areas or lack of strength and depth to be more precise.

Injuries did kill us, a Monaghan team will a full hands stays up.

Yesterday performance was very good considering Mayo had close to full strength team, Jack Carney, Eoghan McLoughin and Diarmuid O'Connor the only first team players missing.

Irwin was very impressive and easily his best game for Monaghan, Jones showed well his first score was a joy to watch. The wee dummy solo and slicing it over the bar from distance.

McNulty and Hamill have showed over the course of the league they are ready to step up.

If we can get a starting half forward line of Hamill, Bannigan and O'Hanlon I think we will cause a lot of teams trouble with their direct running styles.

Mohan and Hughes are solid in the middle. We have loads of options at half back if everyone is fit.
McCarthy,McAnespie,Ward,O'Connell and Lavelle/Duffy.

We know the biggest issues we have are man markers in the full back line and in goals.

But all is not lost. If we can get boys fit then I don't think Monaghan will fear any team in Ulster.

shaggylegend (Monaghan) - Posts: 1948 - 25/03/2024 14:53:59    2533608

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Replying To TheHunter:  "I missed the game yesterday and as RTE decided we were not even worthy of a short highlights package can't make any comment on it, but talking to a few who were at it, the general consensus is there needs to be a change in Keeper. On the topic of outfield players stepping into goal, in Darren Hughes we have a ready made keeper. I believe he played keeper as a Minor and he definitely played in goals during the run to the 2010 Ulster final (not sure if he played the final) so he has the fundamentals. He definitely knows how to keep a defence organised and he would of course be comfortable in open play and general distribution. Its a bit late in the day to start chopping and changing before the Cavan match, but should there be a crash and burn defensively during that game then there could be worse ideas to work on before the All Ireland series."
Of course you weren't at the game yesterday,so you relying on hearsay nonsense. Our keeper was a long way from being our biggest problem yesterday. Most of the goals conceded in the campaign didn't start with the keeper's mistake. He is not Rory Beggan and won't be, at least not until he has a few more years of experience. As for your brainwave on Darren,it's been well over 20 years since he played there regularly. His two games in 2010 were such a success that he was replaced for the Ulster Final by a keeper hobbling around on one leg. Besides what is your plan for Darren's place outfield. Seems to be a case of monkey says what monkey hears. I have watched a lot of football in Monaghan in the past years and I haven't seen any keepers better than McDonnell. A few past underage keepers were possibilities but none of them have any interest.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 473 - 25/03/2024 15:31:07    2533625

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Replying To Eddie the Exile:  "Lavelle was a head clash injury, Ward was taken off as precaution, Bannigan to be assessed but hopefully too serious. Leonard an ankle problem will take time, McAnespie and O'Hanlon are making progress it seems. I'm glad I stopped in Broomfield for a coffee this morning to hear all that!
Does Woods red card carry to championship? Opinions vary on that one"
You wrong on a few of those assessments, but hopefully some of them will be near to full fitness for Cavan.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 473 - 25/03/2024 15:35:34    2533626

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Replying To monaghanmad:  "Was a decent performance today, thought mc nulty and Irwin showed well and worked extremely hard. Jones looks like the partner for Mansy and jack and only needed 50 minutes t impress compared to others who have got the guts of a league.

Injuries are a real killer and hopefully most are back for 2 weeks time. Bannigan is the biggest loss, he is the heartbeat of the team and if he is gone then the cavan game has got a lot tougher.

As for the goalkeeping situation, it has now gone beyond a joke, he should have been substituted at half time v Galway and now today again. He also cant get short kick outs off and he had a simple pop out to Karl at a vital time in the second half and hung it too high. Vinny cant really do much now, its gone too far to bring someone else in and I would fear for him in the championship. Cavan will hunt him down like never before and the pressure will be greater.

I honestly think we have the artillery to go far into the championship as I think we are due to peak and a lot of our most vital players haven't played that much this year and they will come to the fore on the championship."
Agree that yesterday's performance was promising and something to build on.
From watching on I think the goalkeeping situation is widely debatable. You have to remember yesterday Monaghan were down to 13 players and had a huge press on. Any goalkeeper would find it difficult meeting a wall of opposition players.
In terms of the kickout is if you look back at proper stats the last 4/5 games his kickout retention has been very good especially last week against Tyrone in the conditions only losing 2/3 kickouts. Even yesterday the retention was up there until Monaghan ended up with 13 players on the field.
Apart from a few defensive situations this year which didn't help him a lot of the goals could have been avoidable. Yes he has to hold his hands up for some of them.
I think we are very quick to fire McDonnell under the bus but you have to take into account he is following in the footsteps of the best keeper in the country for the last 10 years in Rory and to come in and play at this level is not easy especially the teams that are in Division 1. Rory has had years to develop and to be honest he has done well in my opinion. These things don't develop over night.
Looking throughout the county at another keeper to come in and play At that level I don't think there is anyone at McDonnells level to do the job.

If Monaghan can their injury list down they can make a good rattle at the championship.

BFox1986 (Monaghan) - Posts: 2 - 25/03/2024 16:00:06    2533639

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Replying To ORIELMAN85:  "Of course you weren't at the game yesterday,so you relying on hearsay nonsense. Our keeper was a long way from being our biggest problem yesterday. Most of the goals conceded in the campaign didn't start with the keeper's mistake. He is not Rory Beggan and won't be, at least not until he has a few more years of experience. As for your brainwave on Darren,it's been well over 20 years since he played there regularly. His two games in 2010 were such a success that he was replaced for the Ulster Final by a keeper hobbling around on one leg. Besides what is your plan for Darren's place outfield. Seems to be a case of monkey says what monkey hears. I have watched a lot of football in Monaghan in the past years and I haven't seen any keepers better than McDonnell. A few past underage keepers were possibilities but none of them have any interest."
Listen lad, I live a long way from Monaghan now and while I try to make as many matches as possible it just isn't feasible to get to every game, so less of the sarcasm about not going to a game. Going by your user name I was attending Monaghan matches before you were even a bad idea in your old fellas head, and I have stood in rain and muck watching Monaghan been beaten by practically every county in Ireland, including Carlow and Waterford, so I have done my time and I am as entitled to my opinion as anyone else. The people I spoke to were both experienced players/coaches at club level so I would respect their opinion, and what they see is a keeper whose confidence is low and isn't fully trusted by his defence. Maybe you see something different, if you do fair play to you.

My own view on the situation is that McDonnell should be given his chance against Cavan, but if and when they target him, which they will, I hope he handles it well. I am not suggesting Daren goes into goals at training this Tuesday night , my comment was more a in response to other posters who talked about putting an outfield player in goals. In the hypothetical scenario we have to go down that road, I suggest Darren is the best option as I don't see any other options on the outfield panel.

TheHunter (Monaghan) - Posts: 16 - 25/03/2024 16:39:00    2533657

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Ryan Farrelly Taylor made to be brought in and straight into the starting 15 lad has played & won minor & u21 Ulster medals as if a talented outfield player too. Taylor made for the new age of Gaelic football can't understand why he's not in & along with starting

Bantysbabes123 (Monaghan) - Posts: 32 - 26/03/2024 09:47:04    2533799

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Replying To TheHunter:  "Listen lad, I live a long way from Monaghan now and while I try to make as many matches as possible it just isn't feasible to get to every game, so less of the sarcasm about not going to a game. Going by your user name I was attending Monaghan matches before you were even a bad idea in your old fellas head, and I have stood in rain and muck watching Monaghan been beaten by practically every county in Ireland, including Carlow and Waterford, so I have done my time and I am as entitled to my opinion as anyone else. The people I spoke to were both experienced players/coaches at club level so I would respect their opinion, and what they see is a keeper whose confidence is low and isn't fully trusted by his defence. Maybe you see something different, if you do fair play to you.

My own view on the situation is that McDonnell should be given his chance against Cavan, but if and when they target him, which they will, I hope he handles it well. I am not suggesting Daren goes into goals at training this Tuesday night , my comment was more a in response to other posters who talked about putting an outfield player in goals. In the hypothetical scenario we have to go down that road, I suggest Darren is the best option as I don't see any other options on the outfield panel."
When did waterford beat monaghan out of interest? Late 90s?

It would be poor form to drop DMcD right now, he'll survive ulster at least. Playing beggan in every game this past 10 years hurt monaghan, alot of good understudies left as a result. In fairness to train at this level and no game time, could you blame them. I see cavan as a must win for monaghan, we made the last 4 last year and should be winning this, irrespective of history and so on. The team needs to manage games better, like the armagh Derry and dublin games last year where he had a grip on both games. Some players need to up the anti, far to passive and lacking aggression right now, we can't keep looking to Manzy to bail us out. Time to deliver.

222 (UK) - Posts: 844 - 26/03/2024 10:56:28    2533819

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DMcD will be playing against Cavan so we all need to get behind him - He is currently the best outside of Beggan in the county, was thrown in the deep end this year and has done ok all things considered. Don't forget, Cluxton, Morgan, Shane Ryan etc. didnt set the world alight in their 1st season, they needed time. People think goalkeeping at D1 level is easy.....it certainly isnt. There are other areas we need to fix if we want to make any progress this summer.

Blue for life (None) - Posts: 54 - 26/03/2024 11:40:43    2533835

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What was the disagreement between Corey and McStay at the end ? Corey didn't look happy in picture

TommyBowe (Monaghan) - Posts: 10 - 26/03/2024 11:48:04    2533838

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Replying To 222:  "When did waterford beat monaghan out of interest? Late 90s?

It would be poor form to drop DMcD right now, he'll survive ulster at least. Playing beggan in every game this past 10 years hurt monaghan, alot of good understudies left as a result. In fairness to train at this level and no game time, could you blame them. I see cavan as a must win for monaghan, we made the last 4 last year and should be winning this, irrespective of history and so on. The team needs to manage games better, like the armagh Derry and dublin games last year where he had a grip on both games. Some players need to up the anti, far to passive and lacking aggression right now, we can't keep looking to Manzy to bail us out. Time to deliver."
Was Darren Hughes the last keeper to play a competitive game since Beggan or who was it out of a matter of interest. If memory serves me right I think a small lad came on against us in the league a few years ago but could possibly have been McKenna cup

Jimsam12 (Donegal) - Posts: 20 - 26/03/2024 11:53:18    2533842

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Replying To 222:  "When did waterford beat monaghan out of interest? Late 90s?

It would be poor form to drop DMcD right now, he'll survive ulster at least. Playing beggan in every game this past 10 years hurt monaghan, alot of good understudies left as a result. In fairness to train at this level and no game time, could you blame them. I see cavan as a must win for monaghan, we made the last 4 last year and should be winning this, irrespective of history and so on. The team needs to manage games better, like the armagh Derry and dublin games last year where he had a grip on both games. Some players need to up the anti, far to passive and lacking aggression right now, we can't keep looking to Manzy to bail us out. Time to deliver."
I actually went back and googled that and I was wrong, as the match I am thinking of was a draw, which to be honest is felt as good as a defeat if your playing Waterford. It was in 2002 when Jack McCarville was over them.

I remember meeting a few of the players after it and there was a pretty good story doing the rounds about a member of the management team hopping a duster at one of the panel's head for not listening in the team meeting. We were a long way from sports psychologists back then!.

TheHunter (Monaghan) - Posts: 16 - 26/03/2024 12:07:35    2533847

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Replying To 222:  "When did waterford beat monaghan out of interest? Late 90s?

It would be poor form to drop DMcD right now, he'll survive ulster at least. Playing beggan in every game this past 10 years hurt monaghan, alot of good understudies left as a result. In fairness to train at this level and no game time, could you blame them. I see cavan as a must win for monaghan, we made the last 4 last year and should be winning this, irrespective of history and so on. The team needs to manage games better, like the armagh Derry and dublin games last year where he had a grip on both games. Some players need to up the anti, far to passive and lacking aggression right now, we can't keep looking to Manzy to bail us out. Time to deliver."
Poor form why? It's inter country football.. the highest level of the game. No body owes anyone anything … the objective is to win… hard decisions need to me made but if your afraid of offending people or keeping lads on till ht to give them a chance etc it's not the pls e for you. Vinny is there to win matches.

veterngaa (Monaghan) - Posts: 746 - 26/03/2024 12:56:50    2533858

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Replying To veterngaa:  "Poor form why? It's inter country football.. the highest level of the game. No body owes anyone anything … the objective is to win… hard decisions need to me made but if your afraid of offending people or keeping lads on till ht to give them a chance etc it's not the pls e for you. Vinny is there to win matches."
And who is your replacement at this stage in thr year?

222 (UK) - Posts: 844 - 26/03/2024 13:23:33    2533865

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i dont agree with dropping goalie now and mcdonnel has my full support.. my last comment was why didnt we exhaust all options during mckenna cup and league...besides, dropping your goalie would be like putting lipstick on a pig..need to organise a good defence going into championship

MalsBalls (Monaghan) - Posts: 220 - 26/03/2024 13:30:36    2533867

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Replying To TheHunter:  "Listen lad, I live a long way from Monaghan now and while I try to make as many matches as possible it just isn't feasible to get to every game, so less of the sarcasm about not going to a game. Going by your user name I was attending Monaghan matches before you were even a bad idea in your old fellas head, and I have stood in rain and muck watching Monaghan been beaten by practically every county in Ireland, including Carlow and Waterford, so I have done my time and I am as entitled to my opinion as anyone else. The people I spoke to were both experienced players/coaches at club level so I would respect their opinion, and what they see is a keeper whose confidence is low and isn't fully trusted by his defence. Maybe you see something different, if you do fair play to you.

My own view on the situation is that McDonnell should be given his chance against Cavan, but if and when they target him, which they will, I hope he handles it well. I am not suggesting Daren goes into goals at training this Tuesday night , my comment was more a in response to other posters who talked about putting an outfield player in goals. In the hypothetical scenario we have to go down that road, I suggest Darren is the best option as I don't see any other options on the outfield panel."
Sonny. I was going to Monaghan games long before the accident that ended up as you. All you proved in that last attempt of wit is to show the lack of knowledge of the club coaches that you speak to. Glad to see that you are at least rowing back on your "job for Darren" plan following on your monkey says what monkey hears diatribe. Until and if Rory returns the man who should be our keeper is Darren alright, Darren McDonnell. You are supposedly a long time follower, so you would recall the level that Rory was at in 2013/14. In your simple mind every goal conceded by Monaghan is the keeper's fault. Hopefully with your long distance trips to chat with your experienced players and club coach
friends, that they will enlighten you that a county can't lose half of their starting team and in a few months operate at the same level as before. Like most sunshine supporters your knowledge of how the game works is limited. Onwards and upwards with Vinny and his rebuild.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 473 - 26/03/2024 14:54:10    2533897

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