National Forum

Monaghan GAA thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To seanie08:  "Jap free kick v Longford for anyone old enough on here to grab a draw and promotion. 2008 v westmeath in clones. Lots of talk then of league final v the dubs following week came to nothing. Ye never know but we will never have a better chance to escape div 2. Down will be tough through they won't fear monaghan and always something hard about playing them they are not the biggest but have serious pace when they get a run on ya. We brought a lot of size back in v meath for that midfield battle. This will be like a championship match but as I said at the start of the year I believe in this group of players they had a dreadful year last year but that doesn't wipe away the standards these players have set and those standards include a return to the top table come Sunday evening."
My god it's hard to believe that game is 20 years ago, and what a game it was. We looked dead and buried but salvaged a draw with the wonder score from Paul finlay. Amazing what did it was for us. I can't recall much from 2008, did we loose?

Anyway back to tomorrow, tricky situation for monaghan a win will be important to keep momentum going yet baring an unlikely sequence of results monaghan are promoted. I do agree with a previous poster in that the standard of D2 has been poor, it will be interesting to see maybe where we are really at in a months time against Derry or Donegal. But you can only beat what is front of you and monaghan have a done a good job in doing that. I predict a draw tomorrow. Monaghan Roscommon final.

222 (UK) - Posts: 837 - 22/03/2025 11:07:28    2597761

Link

Think we had cork away, and Westmeath at home in the last 2 games that year, and lost both of them.

moodoo (Monaghan) - Posts: 460 - 22/03/2025 12:36:33    2597776

Link

Replying To moodoo:  "Think we had cork away, and Westmeath at home in the last 2 games that year, and lost both of them."
Played Cork in Blaney rory Woods played well but other than that we were poor the westmeath game was in clones we couldn't cope with there midfield of Flanagan and another skin head fella on the day

Farneyblueandwhite (Monaghan) - Posts: 32 - 22/03/2025 12:43:55    2597777

Link

Replying To 222:  "My god it's hard to believe that game is 20 years ago, and what a game it was. We looked dead and buried but salvaged a draw with the wonder score from Paul finlay. Amazing what did it was for us. I can't recall much from 2008, did we loose?

Anyway back to tomorrow, tricky situation for monaghan a win will be important to keep momentum going yet baring an unlikely sequence of results monaghan are promoted. I do agree with a previous poster in that the standard of D2 has been poor, it will be interesting to see maybe where we are really at in a months time against Derry or Donegal. But you can only beat what is front of you and monaghan have a done a good job in doing that. I predict a draw tomorrow. Monaghan Roscommon final."
That day in 05 lit the torch for banty and monaghan for next two decades and the belief flowed after that. Paul Finlay was the clutch man back then some footballer. This campaign has gone well for monaghan but we haven't had any moments like that and it's really those times when you find out what is in the team like last games of leagues in recent yrs galway dublin games v armagh kildare in the summer . You are right through donegal most likely or derry will have us facing into the fire in a few weeks anyhow. Still think we are brewing nicely and shouldn't fear anyone.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1871 - 22/03/2025 14:30:00    2597800

Link

Not the best start to the weekend the hurlers remain rock bottom in the lowest division in Ireland and the minor footballers scored 5 times in the game to lose by a point! Is the new rules in at county minor this year or just championship?

farneygael3 (Monaghan) - Posts: 162 - 22/03/2025 18:47:19    2597826

Link

Hope we keep building tomorrow and secure promotion without having to get the calculator out.

We should be 100% gearing up for the first round of the Ulster Championship now, though. Huge prize if we can beat the winners of Donegal/Derry in the first game, with the winners of Down/Fermanagh waiting in the Semi (no shade on them, either of those teams could easily beat us, but it's a decent draw). 10 years since we last won it... they have it in them.

The first half of the Meath match has me completely carried away! Loved the fight and venom in defence and around the breaking ball in the middle. And the 2pt shooting was sharp... so important. Keep finding space outside the 40 and nailing those and we'll have a chance against any team. I think it's the running threat we have that might force opposition defences to tighten up and create the space for those 2pters. Also, if Beggan can get his percentage of the 2pt frees up as high as possible, it'll really help.

Ward, McAnespie and Wilson returning as well, they're capable of really pushing us on, we'll need them flying if we're going to get past Derry/Donegal. The big question is obviously still in defence. But good signs against Meath, it seemed that the hunger and focus in the tackle was there. A Div 2 final would be a great way to warm up.... surely Down won't kick the lights out and spoil the party!

MunnionOfMunnionHill (Monaghan) - Posts: 10 - 22/03/2025 23:10:08    2597880

Link

Doesn't matter the score, you need to want something to win it and the fight wasn't there today

GenderNeutral (Meath) - Posts: 121 - 23/03/2025 14:49:27    2597956

Link

Bit of a reality check today weren't at the races esp in first half. Down far hungrier and better side throughout although good fightback in second half. They dont desrrve to be in div 3 laverty is doing a good job much better side than results show. Think the game showed weaknesses we have ahead of ulster championship and that is no harm. Too easily got at through the middle. Still think we lack a player inside to threaten in championship when ground hardens and pace picks up. On positive note O hanlon was superb when he came on a class act. Ward v good also. League final day out next week will want to win it to go into ulster on good note after losing today. A good league still through promotion achieved some good young players blooded but mgmt will know standards be far higher in div 1 so noone will be getting carried away.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1871 - 23/03/2025 16:09:39    2597990

Link

A few lads were given chances and were badly found out in the absence of our starters. Few good performances throughout from Wylie, Duffy, Beggan, and particularly Bannigan but outside of that I thought we were off the pace badly.

McNulty tried hard but had a bad day out, Garland found the going tough and should have showed more for the ball, the ground has hardened on Jack, O'Toole was like an open gate at centre half back, McCarville was floundering and left for dead on multiple occasions and others were simply anonymous. We only came into it in the second half when O'Hanlon came on and went at them. Ward is a good impact sub but given his age and injury history I don't think can be relied upon as a starter.

Goes to show how big the gulf in class is from the top 4 in the country and everyone else. This has been a good rebuild season but I think we're still a long ways off winning any of the top dog hardware.

Jjoniel79 (Monaghan) - Posts: 195 - 23/03/2025 17:03:51    2598013

Link

Bernardo should be on here shortly sure we were beaten today

Farneyblueandwhite (Monaghan) - Posts: 32 - 23/03/2025 17:53:18    2598038

Link

We dodged a bullet.. Derry and Tyrone relegated … div 2 be some craic next year! Serious achievement for the players and management!

veterngaa (Monaghan) - Posts: 733 - 23/03/2025 19:02:40    2598079

Link

Replying To veterngaa:  "We dodged a bullet.. Derry and Tyrone relegated … div 2 be some craic next year! Serious achievement for the players and management!"
We dodged a bigger bullet than ye, we probably earned the most undeserving promotion for along time!! Good for us both to be back in Division 1 though. See ye next Sunday!

D.Hyde (Roscommon) - Posts: 259 - 23/03/2025 19:10:24    2598086

Link

Replying To veterngaa:  "We dodged a bullet.. Derry and Tyrone relegated … div 2 be some craic next year! Serious achievement for the players and management!"
See ye on Sunday. Ros are very lucky to be going up. Very poor in the second half today against Westmeath. Strange results throughout this Division. No standout team but Monaghan probably deserve to top the table.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2348 - 23/03/2025 19:11:43    2598089

Link

Ward, O Hanlon and Began were the only positives from today's game, don't quite know how we kept a clean sheet.
Down got the tactics right, they defended the arc very well, preventing the two pointers we were getting easy last week, there was space inside but we didn't let it in often and fast enough. They also won the intensity battle.
On the defensive side of it we were very poor. I don't think playing 8 forwards, like previous years is going to beat the better teams going forward. We had no natural half backs in the half back line and we were cut open time and again.
Most analysts are saying that the game now requires the return of the natural defender rather than the masse defense.
Team selection and a raised level of intensity important for next week and beyond. In a strange way maybe today will do us no harm in the long run, if lessons are learnt

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1063 - 23/03/2025 19:43:04    2598111

Link

Possibly the worst first half display we've seen in along time poor shot selection and going for goal when going was easier option. Good response second half , changes made difference. Overall a good league campaign. Well done to management and players .

McGuirk1985@ (Monaghan) - Posts: 87 - 23/03/2025 19:54:51    2598117

Link

Replying To Jjoniel79:  "A few lads were given chances and were badly found out in the absence of our starters. Few good performances throughout from Wylie, Duffy, Beggan, and particularly Bannigan but outside of that I thought we were off the pace badly.

McNulty tried hard but had a bad day out, Garland found the going tough and should have showed more for the ball, the ground has hardened on Jack, O'Toole was like an open gate at centre half back, McCarville was floundering and left for dead on multiple occasions and others were simply anonymous. We only came into it in the second half when O'Hanlon came on and went at them. Ward is a good impact sub but given his age and injury history I don't think can be relied upon as a starter.

Goes to show how big the gulf in class is from the top 4 in the country and everyone else. This has been a good rebuild season but I think we're still a long ways off winning any of the top dog hardware."
If Ward is fit, he starts and is a massive player for us

monaghanmad (Monaghan) - Posts: 406 - 23/03/2025 20:39:50    2598127

Link

Good game today down were down and played the better football. They'll feel unlucky to be making the drop but deserved the win. But a good league campaign overall, bannigan will be happy. Next week is a nice occasion to be back at HQ. Again it will be a good test for the newcomers on a fast paced pitch. Regarding championship midfield could still be a problem and defense.

222 (UK) - Posts: 837 - 23/03/2025 21:24:29    2598140

Link

What happened G Mohan today?

Blackcardnot (USA) - Posts: 41 - 23/03/2025 22:37:41    2598164

Link

Job done today but it did have a strange anti-climactic feel in Clones on the final whistle. Bottom line is that promotion was secured with a game to spare. Huge credit to Gabriel Bannigan and team on the promotion- they have done the county some service in recent months.

On the game itself, Down were much the better team on the day, and hard luck to them on relegation, Eugene Brannigan has some engine. It played out well for Monaghan despite the loss . Another tilt at Roscommon was the best outcome before the game and so it is. No new injuries was vital, and great to see Dessie Ward back and going well. Lavelle's value to the team was laid bare by Down's attack. Davy Garland struggled for a long time but got his goal reward, however Mooney caught the eye a bit more . Gavin McPhilips changed the balance of power at midfield in the second half. But overall the Monaghan supporters got a much needed dose of reality.

It's set up for an interesting few weeks.

Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1168 - 23/03/2025 22:39:23    2598166

Link

Replying To Eddie the Exile:  "Job done today but it did have a strange anti-climactic feel in Clones on the final whistle. Bottom line is that promotion was secured with a game to spare. Huge credit to Gabriel Bannigan and team on the promotion- they have done the county some service in recent months.

On the game itself, Down were much the better team on the day, and hard luck to them on relegation, Eugene Brannigan has some engine. It played out well for Monaghan despite the loss . Another tilt at Roscommon was the best outcome before the game and so it is. No new injuries was vital, and great to see Dessie Ward back and going well. Lavelle's value to the team was laid bare by Down's attack. Davy Garland struggled for a long time but got his goal reward, however Mooney caught the eye a bit more . Gavin McPhilips changed the balance of power at midfield in the second half. But overall the Monaghan supporters got a much needed dose of reality.

It's set up for an interesting few weeks."
Bannigan gave a v telling interview after the game. Basically said they went all out for the win in navan and weren't going to risk some players v down. Definitely no harm getting the reality check yesterday . We all know monaghan on their day can beat anyone but equally we are always vulnerable to the smash and grab underdogs coming to town and beating us. If and its a massive if we did end up playing Down in Ulster this year certainly be no complacency. Down when they get their tails up are v hard side to beat and are coming team who will walk div 3. Be interesting to see if Bannigan and Moran stick with attacking style in championship as while we scored loads our defence v div 2 teams has been wide open.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1871 - 24/03/2025 09:25:03    2598194

Link