In any GAA transfer market forum, Currin, Monaghan and Ulster star Dick Clerkin would be hot property. However in 2006 the star midfielder 'cum attacker hopes it's his club and county's stock which climbs the highest. Writes Kevin Carney. "It's a fantastic opportunity for lesser known lads - who are not necessarily lesser players - to play against and alongside the best players. "How many people around the country would know of players like Sean Kelly of St. Gall's in Antrim and Dick Clerkin from Monaghan?" 2005 Ulster team-manager Brian McEniff admits to having been bowled over by the commitment and ambition demonstrated by the aforementioned duo as the Red Hand province sought to defend its interprovincial title last November. McEniff isn't known for issuing false platitudes so the genuineness of his observations can be taken as read. It's clear he rates Clerkin. Given McEniff's experience of top quality players spanning over four decades, his knowledge of Gaelic football and his man management skills, that's saying something. Even though Ulster's Irish International Rules players returned prior to the the final against Leinster, the Donegal man retained Clerkin in his starting line-up for the decider. And the fact that Ulster eventually lost out to Leinster after a dramatic shoot-out in extra-time didn't begin to tarnish Clerkin's burgeoning reputation. Indeen in any transfer market situation, the Currin clubman would be hot property and courted by the most successful clubs and counties in the country. Clerkin has the athleticism, determination, strength and skill to operate at the highest level. His herculean efforts in the championship, national league and interprovincial arenas in 2005 and at Sigerson Cup level previously proved as much. The past year, he admits, featured the realisation of many a dream he held since a gasun. He cites the winning of the National League division two medal last summer as the highlight of his career to date. But participating in the Ulster SFC, playing at Croke Park and lining out for his province helped greatly in making '05 "a year to remember and one I couldn't have anticipated at the start of 2005." All downhill from here on then Dick? "I hope not and I don't think so, although some people did get carried away. "I think supporters would understand if I said that we have to be up there winning division one titles which is a big leap forward. "I don't expect us to win the All-Ireland next year or even the division one title in the league but at least we're on the right road," claims the midfielder 'cum forward. As with McEniff, the rising star that is Dick Clerkin doesn't go in for soundbites or hyperbole. His view of matters is considered and weighed, reasoned too. "I think the future for this Monaghan squad is very good. There is a good nucleus of players who have proven themselves at minor and under 21 levels. Indeed. Fact is Clerkin and his peers could well have nicked at least one Ulster underage championship title and possibly an All-Ireland given the success of their conquerors. For three consecutive years, Tyrone blocked Monaghan's advance at under 21 level. It was hugely frustrating for the Scotshouse native but enlightening nonetheless. The O'Neill county won three Ulster titles and one All-Ireland after knocking out Monaghan on each occasion. When the Red Hand county won the All-Ireland in 2002, Dick and his midfield partner Shay McAleer were outstanding against the vaunted Tyrone centre pairing of Kevin Hughes and Peter Donnelly but still lost out in a real battle in Ballybay. Back then Tyrone wannabes such as Stephen O'Neill, Owen Mulligan, Brian McGuigan and Philip Jordan did most damage to Monaghan's cause. "We came as close to any team in those years to beating Tyrone and look what a lot of those players have achieved since. "I always thought that in spite of those defeats, progress was being made. We had a good group of players in place but it's always hard to gauge just how good a team is, especially when you've only a win against Antrim, as we had in 2002, to go by. "But the fact that some of the squad were breaking into the senior team and keeping their places showed that the talent was making its way up through the grades. "Our experience at underage level in playing the likes of Tyrone showed that there wasn't that much between us and the best there was around. "Who knows but that in any other year we would have won at least one Ulster title had we not come up against such good Tyrone teams." Not that Dick is grumbling about what his football career has afforded him to date. Instead, he is thankful for the windows of opportunity that have presented themselves. And that includes the hand he has been dealt at club level where it's largely been a case of famine rather than a feast of successful sorties in league and championship forums In 2005 crumbs rather than the menu twice were mostly what was dished out to Currin die-hards. There were mitigating reasons though for the disappointing season. "County involvement, our traditional small pick and injuries all effected us and the fact we suffered a few narrow defeats, like to Eire Og, hit us bad during the year." Does he feel that playing at junior level for so many years stymied his development as a player or negated his chances of making animpression in the wider GAA world? "No, I never felt playing junior football held me back. "Sometimes we struggled to field a full team for some games but playing competitive football is all that matters. "At junior level, sometimes it's an advantage because you've more time to hone your skills and you tend to get that bit more time on the ball. "I've found that you get more chances to shoot, go on a solo run and it's not quite as intense so you can develop at a more consistent pace and gain in confidence. "At county level and even in college, you don't get as much time on the ball as you do when playing junior club football. Now ensconced in Drogheda, the 2004 Player of the Year re-iterates the common view that there was never any chance of him ever jumping ship and seeking another club. "Over the years, people have asked me about the possibility of leaving Currin but it was never a runner. "I never looked to leave the club even though being in Drogheda means there's plenty of offers to join up with one club or another," admitted the Irish Cement employee. Dick is a Chemical Engineer by profession but is eagerly looking forward to helping Seamus McEnaney and co. engineer another year of progress at the turn of the year. The twenty minute trip down the road from Drogheda to Stabannon for county training is something that 24 year old Dick is preparing to tackle with great relish for the cause. "It's a hell of a blessing compared to the trip I used to have to make to training in places like Killanny and Donaghmoyne when I was a student in Belfast." The Queens University old boy played alongside such notables as Martin McGrath (Fermanagh), Sean Kelly (Antrim) and Billy Joe Madden (Mayo) at Sigerson Cup level and hopes to 'mix' it with the creme de la creme of Gaelic football on a consistent basis for many years to come. A debutant with Monaghan seniors as an 18 year old back in 1998, Dick says the advent of the McKenna Cup and NFL will serve to concentrate the mind and body. "We'll not be long getting into our stride but it will be very interesting, especially the league where we'll be coming up against some of the top teams in the country. "Playing in division one should be a great experience and coming up against such top counties should hold us in good stead for the championship match with Armagh." In the short term, Dick - son of two times Ulster SFC medallist and NFL Division One winner Hugo Clerkin - says it is pretty vital that Monaghan retain their place in the highest echelon of the national league. Championship-wise, he reckons that there's not a lot separating any of the Ulster sides right now and he is adamant that Monaghan should be eyeing a place in the Ulster SFC final in '06. "There's a great buzz about the county ever since we won the league last year but the expectations of the fans will be that much higher come next year because of that. "That's understandable and not a problem because it'll be the same for the players. "Division One of the league is where we wanted to be and hopefully playing in the top division will be the launching pad for a real good attempt at going far in the championship. "After playing all the top teams in the league over the spring, we'll know a good bit more though where we stand." So, there you have it. It seems like, roll on Cork, Dublin, Mayo et al is Clerkin's clarion call. Tweet

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