Replying To Leitrim1234:  "Even though I and others had warned everyone of what was a head this year on these pages in the last few months I think it really only hit home to everyone (myself included) when we seen the official squad announced. Its stark.
I've said before that you could have Mick O'Dwyer or Jim Gavin in charge and it wouldn't make a difference this year.
Fair play to the players that have committed to the cause but the reality is many of these would be Third, Fourth, or Fifth choice in their positions if we had everyone available. Theres probably 25 to 30 players not available in total.

We have not just lost the majority of our 'high-end' players talent wise but we have lost years of S&C which will be exposed brutally at division Four level. That the unfortunate reality of things.

The panel announced once again shows to me that we have no issue in producing quality players but we have a severe issue with retaining them. There's no magic solution to this but the County Board needs to put in place a plan to change this.
When you look at who's missing (from last years panel) only Pearce Dolan and Mark Plunkett have left the country. The rest are still on the island or are nursing injuries. That is the really disappointing thing. When you add in the others who haven't been involved due to emigration it really is depressing for what could have been.

Another positive I have taken away from the squad is that its a complete change from Des Dolans time where we produced so many top quality defenders and had no real high level forwards. Now we are really struggling defensively.

Even with the likes of O'Rourke, Rooney, Plunkett missing from our forward line we still have Beirne, Prior, Cox, Reynolds, Guckian, Riordan O'Rourke and Honeyman available in our forward unit. Past managers would have bitten your hand off for this scoring power. With the new rules I would say if we can secure any decent type of possession or on counter attacks we could do real damage.

Poacher falling out with Killian Gaffey really hasn't helped and taking in the keeper from the club he coaches in Louth but who is from Monaghan is an 'interesting' approach.


For what its worse here's my guess at what the team may be (is Cillian McGloin fit again? Is Keith Beirne fit after missing preseason?)


Brian Cull

Adam Reynolds Mark Diffley Cathal McHugh

Cillian McGloin Jack Foley Shane Quinn

Barry McNulty
Conor Quinn

Ben Guckian Keith Keegan Tom Prior

Darren Cox Keith Beirne Jordan Reynolds"

Replying To williesboy:  "I can't see Beirne starting until round 3 as he is only back in there.
New rules won't suit this team, yes it would work in hindsight if the 3 forwards can get the ball but the long and short of it they won't really.
Poacher might have had a chance to do something if he could get 15 behind the ball."