Monaghan's VS football team came within a whisker of All-Ireland glory as they made it all the way to the National final against competition specialists Cork. On the occasion of their recent Annual Banquet and presentation of their annual awards in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan, the Ulster GAA Writers Association had on display all of the trophies that Ulster counties had won at national level in 2008. The success of Ulster teams at all levels can be gauged from the fact that just one trophy was missing, the inter-county Vocational Schools Cup, but Monaghan came mighty close to making it a "full house" as they reached the All Ireland final and for quite some time matched Cork in every department before finally succumbing to a late surge by the Rebels. Monaghan were not rated as title contenders but like a juggernaut they built up pace and momentum with every outing on a roller coaster ride that took them to within a whisker of making history. Monaghan certainly were not favourites going into their opening game against Vocational schools specialists, Tyrone but they caused the first shock on that day when they took the O'Neill county scalp to set up a semi final meeting with Cavan. This was another white knuckle ride with nothing between the sides all through until Ballybay Community College player Shane Coyle pounced a minute into added time to edge Monaghan to a hard fought victory at the Corduff venue on Thursday January 24th last. A very strong wind did not help both sides but they still managed to turn in a wonderful second half. The opening period was scrappy to say the least with Cavan playing with the wind at their backs. However, by the break it was the home side that were the happier as they led by a single point thanks to a wonderful defensive performance from Christopher Farrell, Sam Dooney, Ciaran Smith and Declan Farrell. A strong start to the second period saw Monaghan race into a six points advantage but to their credit Cavan never gave in and were back level with just six minutes of normal time remaining. It stayed like that until Shane Coyle struck to edge Monaghan through. It finished Monaghan 1-11, Cavan 2-7. That put Monaghan through to the Ulster final where their opponents were Donegal, a team looking for their 12th Ulster title. They last won the title in 2002 when they beat Monaghan and their team, which included Mark McHugh, a son of 1992 All-Ireland winner Martin McHugh was made up of players from 10 schools, an indication of the numbers they had to pick from as opposed to Monaghan. Despite that disparity a hugely determined and focused Monaghan battled their way to victory over a highly fancied Donegal in what was a totally absorbing if somewhat low scoring Ulster inter county Vocational Schools final in Clogher. It was Monaghan's willingness to battle and scrap for everything that ultimately saw them through to the county's second inter county vocational schools title and their performance is also a testament to the level of work put in by the whole team management and team coach Paul O'Connor. Conditions were far from ideal with the ground soft underfoot, rain falling for a time during the match and a difficult breeze. Those conditions at times did affect the standard of play but any time that things seemed to be going against them Monaghan were able to fight back with telling effect. The defence marshalled at full and centre back by Christopher and Declan Farrell was very focused with Kevin Mooney often proving the link as they repeatedly turned defence into attack. Kieran Duffy in midfield worked hard throughout while upfront Dermot Malone almost played himself to a standstill and was involved in most of what Monaghan achieved going forward while Shane Coyle and Philip O'Callaghan accounted for six of their eight points between them. Pete Dooney at full forward was always a threat and with a little more luck might have earned a couple more frees but the Donegal full-back line was allowed a fair degree of latitude and it was congratulations all round as Monaghan too their second Ulster title. It finished Monaghan 0-9, Donegal 0-5. That win put Monaghan through to the All Ireland semi final and again their battling qualities saw them work their way to the narrowest of victories over Meath on in a thrilling and totally absorbing semi final that was played in Darver, Co Louth to earn an All Ireland inter-county vocational schools final place for the first time since 2002. Monaghan had more than their fair share of problems to over come not least of which was having to play an All Ireland semi-final on an Astro turf pitch and even more unacceptable not having been told beforehand so that they could at least have had the right footwear for the occasion. However there is no substitute for class and they put on another top class performance despite the aforementioned draw backs to edge their way through to the final against a highly rated Meath team that had comprehensively defeated Kildare in the Leinster final. In the end it was their ability to over come all the odds and get on with the job in hand which they did to great effect and in the process out foxed and for long periods out played a much physically stronger Meath team. This was team work at its best with every player from goalkeeper Conal McKenna right up to the corner forwards and a number of substitutes putting in a ferocious work rate. Allied to that they also possessed a high level of footballing skills and tactics to the extent that, overall, Monaghan deserved to advance to the decider. "We were absolutely delighted with the performance against Meath and it was another wonderful display all over the park for our lads and none more so than in defence," said Shane Donoghue, team mentor. "Our defence had been the strong point of the team and they stood up and were counted." It finished Monaghan 2-6. Meath 0-11. There was to be no fairy tale ending though for the County Vocational Schools team in their All Ireland final meeting with Cork as the Rebel County proved too strong in practically every department and deservedly ran out comfortable winners in Dr Cullen Park in Carlow. Monaghan had enjoyed a modicum of luck in their game in Ulster and the All Ireland semi final but they had used it all up in getting to the final and never enjoyed the rub of the green at any time. Monaghan made a contest of it for all of the first half and a period at the beginning of the second-half but thereafter the superior strength and class of the Cork side shone through and they pulled away easily in the final stages. That said though Monaghan at times contrived to make life difficult for themselves by missing a number of gilt edged chances especially for goals that could have kept them more in the contest and overall they probably did not produce their best form. The defence to their credit showed well, even under severe pressure, with the Farrells, Christopher and Declan, particularly effective, and making some very adroit interceptions at vital times. However in attack Monaghan lacked the power and penetration that Cork possessed and this was seen more so in the final stages when the rebels upped the tempo and Monaghan had no response. Despite defeat though Monaghan can take a lot of credit out of their 2008 campaign as they showed great fighting qualities but in the final they just had no answer to the power and precision of the rebel county. It finished Cork 2-11, Monaghan 0-7. Team and scorers v Cork: Conal McKenna, Sam Dooney, Christopher Farrell, Ciaran Smith, Matthew O'Reilly 0-1, Declan Farrell, Kevin Mooney, Brendan Duffy, Kieran Duffy 0-1, Turlough Fitzsimons, Dermot Malone 0-1, Shane Coyle, Christopher McGuinness 0-1, Pete Dooney, Philip O'Callaghan 0-1 (1f). Subs: Ryan Courtney for K Mooney, Cathal Crowe for B Duffy, Colm Walsh 0-1 for T Fitzsimons, Jack McCarron 0-1 (1f), for S Coyle, Fintan Kelly for C Smith. Referee: Syl Doyle (Wexford). To mark their achievement and to present the players with their Ulster medals Monaghan VEC hosted a special function in the Ballybay Pearse Brothers Centre where the special guest was the newly appointed Ard Stiurthoir CLG Paraic Duffy. Speaking prior to presenting the medals Paraic Duffy described the input of the vocational schools as being good to the GAA in Monaghan and even though working from small numbers they had shown what can be achieved by being well-organised, committed, dedicated and ambitious. Pride of place in all this goes to the players but it wasn't just about uttering words about what they had done in 2008 that he wanted to stress but rather that these young men "must look at their achievement as a beginning rather than an end" because for most of them their football careers are only beginning and they can build on this great experience". It wasn't going to be easy though as he spoke of the sacrifices they will have to make and he expressed the hope that of them would continue to play GAA in their clubs. Some of them will go on to represent the county but representing their club is the key element in this whole thing. The club is central to the whole association and our aim must be to keep the club as the key organisation in every community and you can all go on to serve your clubs with distinction." Chief executive Officer of the VEC, Martin O'Brien congratulated the players but also advised them to take on board seriously the points made by Paraic Duffy with regard to lifestyles and the benefits that taking part in sport, preferably gaelic games could be. "Sport can be a very important thing in your lives," he told them and he urged the young people to "be careful not to revert to sub cultures that could be damaging and had been damaging in the past" but to "go forward with all of the positive things that had emanated from their successful year on the field of play. People are judged by various standards and in different ways" he told the young players "but you can also judge people by how they play their football and this Monaghan Vocational schools team played its football very well." Tweet

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