Replying To Eddie the Exile: "I don't know lads, you'd be worried about today. Armagh have that Ivan Drago look about them, and I'm not sure we are the Rocky standard just yet. Colm O'Rourke in the Sindo has Armagh in the All Ireland final and it's hard to argue really.
I am not confident heading to Clones i must say. In many ways this would be a bigger win against the odds than the 2013 final. In that game Monaghan had an experienced team going in under the radar against a tired team who had scaled the mountain just months previous. Today we go in with a weaker side against a ravenous outfit who themselves have it all to prove.
Can Monaghan live with the early onslaught that will surely come? Can they disrupt Blaine Hughes on kickouts and find a way to stop the bleeding from fisted points on the run from Armagh's wing backs? And can they keep the goals conceded to 2 or less? All big asks.
I worry also that a lot of emotion and personal stuff has crept into the preparations- that brings the 2010 final to mind. Clear heads are needed instead, and courage. Copious amounts of courage. We have that at least..."
Agree on 2010 and thought the social media build up was OTT. Didn't do the ladies much luck yesterday, if they'd have stuck to training and less photos / interviews. Hopefully not the same today
Let us not travel to Clones in hope but in anticipation. Let us arrive and leave with our tails up. Let's make St Tiernach's heave. Let's call out every foul and infringement. Let us be the extra man. Let every wearer of white and blue today be hoarse for a week. Let us soldier with our boys for the duration And let us let Armagh know that the closest they'll get to the Anglo Celt cup this year is to share 4 letters with the winning team. The pundits may not think we have the panel to win it but ohhhh, how they are forgetting that we have the tenacity to do just that. Now heads and tails up and let's hit Clones.
I'd agree with that. For Armagh it's the All Ireland that will define their season's success. McGeeney has a bunch of Ulster medals but just one celtic cross. I'd say he'd swap a few of those for another All Ireland, despite what he might say. That's got to be the Armagh aim.
Can Monaghan get the level of consistency that the top teams have? That's always been the question. There is talent there but it's always the mentality. Are they better than last year? The Donegal second half is hanging over the team. Midfield the key as always against the top teams. If they do manage to get over the line, can they refocus on the next game? In 2013 they were very flat against Tyrone, that was a big chance missed. 2018 and 2023 were the years for me when Monaghan seemed to have the most focus and drive/belief even if they ended up empty handed.