Replying To PolicemanFox: "Big game experience? A force in the coming years. Being hearing this type of stuff for years. All this experience and whatever is for some vague time in the future.
What about last year's big game experience, and last month's and last fortnight's? It should be paying off now.
Monaghan aren't really in transition. 12 of the 15 who started against Donegal in last year's quarter-final and 4 of the subs who came on are still very much involved and I think 14 played against Mayo at some stage. If there hadn't been injuries to O'Hanlon, Kelly, and Mohan that number would have been higher and if Lavelle and Gallagher had been available last year they probably would have played against Donegal too. Every team brings a few players through each year if they can, so what?
The major question for Monaghan is getting to the next level: Leading the 2025 All-Ireland quarter final last year by 7pts at halftime and letting it slip. Losing the 2026 Ulster final in extra time. Losing by a point to Mayo with home advantage.
The problem is winning these big games and Monaghan's record against teams outside Ulster is poor. The last two Mayo and Galway championship games being an example. Close games but Monaghan on the wrong side. If they lose to Roscommon it'll just be another Monaghan nearly season.
The talent is clearly there and Monaghan need to be winning these types of games. Now, not next year."
Without being critical of underage, minors and under 20s this year is an example. Minors 12 up in second half...under 20s well on top of tyrone. Culture breeds culture
Replying To PolicemanFox: "Big game experience? A force in the coming years. Being hearing this type of stuff for years. All this experience and whatever is for some vague time in the future.
What about last year's big game experience, and last month's and last fortnight's? It should be paying off now.
Monaghan aren't really in transition. 12 of the 15 who started against Donegal in last year's quarter-final and 4 of the subs who came on are still very much involved and I think 14 played against Mayo at some stage. If there hadn't been injuries to O'Hanlon, Kelly, and Mohan that number would have been higher and if Lavelle and Gallagher had been available last year they probably would have played against Donegal too. Every team brings a few players through each year if they can, so what?
The major question for Monaghan is getting to the next level: Leading the 2025 All-Ireland quarter final last year by 7pts at halftime and letting it slip. Losing the 2026 Ulster final in extra time. Losing by a point to Mayo with home advantage.
The problem is winning these big games and Monaghan's record against teams outside Ulster is poor. The last two Mayo and Galway championship games being an example. Close games but Monaghan on the wrong side. If they lose to Roscommon it'll just be another Monaghan nearly season.
The talent is clearly there and Monaghan need to be winning these types of games. Now, not next year."
I enjoyed reading this - its got me pumped...and hard to disagree - like in the coming years we're likely to lose mcanespie, mccarron and wylie thru retirement...are we a team in transition again at that stage? absolutely not and theyve been vital players at different times for us
Replying To PolicemanFox: "Big game experience? A force in the coming years. Being hearing this type of stuff for years. All this experience and whatever is for some vague time in the future.
What about last year's big game experience, and last month's and last fortnight's? It should be paying off now.
Monaghan aren't really in transition. 12 of the 15 who started against Donegal in last year's quarter-final and 4 of the subs who came on are still very much involved and I think 14 played against Mayo at some stage. If there hadn't been injuries to O'Hanlon, Kelly, and Mohan that number would have been higher and if Lavelle and Gallagher had been available last year they probably would have played against Donegal too. Every team brings a few players through each year if they can, so what?
The major question for Monaghan is getting to the next level: Leading the 2025 All-Ireland quarter final last year by 7pts at halftime and letting it slip. Losing the 2026 Ulster final in extra time. Losing by a point to Mayo with home advantage.
The problem is winning these big games and Monaghan's record against teams outside Ulster is poor. The last two Mayo and Galway championship games being an example. Close games but Monaghan on the wrong side. If they lose to Roscommon it'll just be another Monaghan nearly season.
The talent is clearly there and Monaghan need to be winning these types of games. Now, not next year."
We have had a huge mental block in the past 15 years of winning the type of games you mentioned. I'm not sure why but we have had so many near misses that have been gut wrenching. It's a mentality thing that is hard to put your finger on but is so frustrating. Apart from kildare and galway in recent years, I don't remember us taking out a big hitter outside of ulster. It's very hard to know why we can't close out games in the last ten minutes, we seem to tighten up and make poor mistakes. I agree with you on the transition point, alot of guys well into their 30s at this stage that are still leading the team. Seasons like this where we have done fairly OK need to be maximised and a defeat Saturday will be disappointing.