New talismen emerge as Monaghan revival gathers pace and silverware
Monaghan celebrate with the trophy after theD Allianz FL Division 2 final at Croke Park. Pic: Ryan Byrne, Inpho
You would have been forgiven for buying into the myth of Monaghan football's demise.
Ten seasons of Division 1 football between 2015 and 2024, for a county with the fifth smallest population on the island, amounted to shopping in the big brand stores until the credit card inevitably maxed out.
They've enjoyed fresh investment however.
Conor McManus may have closed his account over winter but they have new talisman performers. Dylan Byrne, a sticky and stylish defender, was Man of the Match in Saturday evening's resounding Division 2 final win, securing the county's first piece of significant silverware since McManus hoisted the Ulster SFC trophy in 2015.
"Dylan Byrne has played every minute of every game," said manager Gabriel Bannigan, new to the scene this year too. "Aaron Carey made his debut, what a debut and what a place to make it, in Croke Park. He's another out of last year's U-20 team so we have young lads there, fellas who had never played in Croke Park before, so it was great to give the experience of playing here and I thought they acquitted themselves really well.
"Micheal McCarville is 30 years of age but he never played a minute in Croke Park before either. He's been with us the last two years and he was warmed up but never came on (before) but he played the full game. So all of that is what is important."
They still have a sprinkling of established stars too. Between thirtysomething duo Rory Beggan and Jack McCarron, Monaghan yielded 1-9, Beggan kicking three two-pointers and McCarron slamming the game-hinging 57th minute goal. Former All-Star Conor McCarthy buzzed with typical attacking intent whilst Stephen O'Hanlon's pace and direct running continues to be a conundrum which confounds teams. Roscommon couldn't handle him.
Bannigan's nephew, captain Micheal, is enjoying his very best season in blue and white. He scored five points on Saturday evening, including a two-pointer, and was at his best when Monaghan turned the screw with 1-6 to Roscommon's 0-1 in the closing quarter hour or so.
"I think so, yeah," said skipper Micheal when asked if he's in the form of his career.
It's probably no coincidence that players like O'Hanlon, McCarthy, McCarron and Bannigan are all thriving this term, when the new rules have given them a licence to engage defenders in one v one situations.
"I don't know about that," shrugged centre-forward Bannigan. "I'm obviously a year older too, a year wiser and no injuries this year so that probably all helps as well. But yeah, I think Croke Park suits us though we probably didn't see that in the first-half."
Roscommon led at half-time, 0-12 to 0-11, as their own shooters like Diarmuid and Ciarain Murtagh, Cian McKeon, Ben O'Carroll and ex-All-Star Enda Smith all did what they do.
But Monaghan clearly learned a thing or two about killing off teams from their decade in Division 1. They dominated the second-half, firstly tightening their grip on the game with three two-pointers in a row between the 39th and 41st minutes before squeezing the life out of Roscommon in the closing 15 minutes or so, boa constrictor style.
Perhaps Roscommon minds in those closing exchanges were already on next Saturday's Connacht SFC opener in London. Roscommon manager Davy Burke said the fixtures pile up isn't ideal but refused to use it as an excuse.
"No, I wouldn't make any excuses about next week," he said. "Yes, it's difficult to juggle, mentally probably more than physically. But I wouldn't be blaming London for the second-half, no."
Aside from Ruaidhri Fallon's 'bang on the shoulder', Burke said Roscommon didn't pick up any fresh injuries. Curiously, both Roscommon and Monaghan are 50/1 shots for the All-Ireland. On the evidence of Saturday evening, 2023 All-Ireland semi-finalists Monaghan represent better value.
They will start their provincial campaign on April 20, against the winners of the blockbuster tie between Donegal and Derry.
"I don't think we'll have any more lads back for the Championship," said Farney manager Bannigan. "The lads picked up two bad injuries with Louis Kelly and Killian Lavelle. I think you are talking the end of April with both of them. Our Championship game is obviously on the 20th of April. They are working hard on their rehab and who knows but I think they are going to get it hard to make that one."
Monaghan were the only team in Saturday evening's two Croke Park finals without a Championship game to prepare for this weekend. Bannigan said the 'cards fell right' for his group and urged the GAA to give at least two weeks between league finals and Championship games in future.
R Beggan 0-7 (3tpf, 1 45); J McCarron 1-2; M Bannigan 0-5 (1tp); A Woods 0-3 (1 free); D Ward (tp), C McCarthy (tp) 0-2 each; R McAnespie, R Wylie, S O'Hanlon, C McNulty, G Mohan 0-1 each.
D Murtagh 0-8 (4 frees, 1 tp); C Murtagh (2 frees), C McKeon, E Smith 0-2 each; B O'Carroll, C Carroll (45), E Nolan, R Fallon, D Smith 0-1 each.
R Beggan; R Wylie, R O'Toole, D Byrne; D Ward, A Carey, C McCarthy; G Mohan, M McCarville; R McAnespie, M Bannigan, C McNulty; D Garland, A Woods, S O'Hanlon.
J McCarron for Garland (45); S Mooney for McAnespie (58); J Irwin for Carey (67); J Wilson for McNulty (68); K Duffy for McCarthy (70).
C Carroll; N Higgins, J McManus, D Murray; C Neary, R Fallon, D Ruane; E Nolan, K Doyle; C Lennon, C McKeon, C Murtagh; B O'Carroll, D Murtagh, E Smith.
R Daly for Fallon (35); S Lambe for Higgins (38-50, blood); C Hand for Lennon (43); U Harney for Doyle (52); D Smith for McKeon (55); C Heneghan for C Murtagh (62).
B Tiernan (Dublin).
