As the game moved into injury-time, it was a goal or nothing. Meath were edging closer to the Division 2 League title. But, incredibly on that bright Croke Park day, Monaghan grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat. As the ball trickled over the line, rapturous roars reverberated around Croke Park. Monaghan had done a Meath on Meath. Having had many Houdini-type escapes during Sean Boylan's 23-year reign, this time Meath were on the receiving end. A last minute own goal had deprived the Royals at the death. The 2004 Monaghan GAA yearbook stated: "when the highlight of your entire year is a home league win over Clare, then you know the mustard has not been cut." 2005 was somewhat different however, and though Monaghan did not manage to make the final cut, they gave other county teams food for thought. Up until 2005 Monaghan had won only a single game in the qualifiers. After that epic victory over Meath in the Division 2 League decider, the side had mixed fortunes in the championship which finally ended with defeat against eventual All-Ireland finalists Tyrone in Croke Park in July. Monaghan's league final victory may have been slightly fortuitous but it did lead to optimism in the county. But by June, Derry gained revenge for their league semi-final defeat against the Farney County. One of the keys to this victory was a sublime performance from Paddy Bradley, who amassed a total of 1-10 and with Enda Muldoon combining effectively with Bradley, Derry took early control of this game. Damien Freeman scored the first point of the game for Monaghan but Derry then took control and by half-time, led by seven points, with Bradley scoring Derry's goal after nine minutes. The half-time score read Derry 1-8 Monaghan 0-4. Paul Murphy scored an early point for Derry in the second half and Monaghan, at this stage, were being continuously frustrated with a number of efforts off target. Finally they were rewarded. A feature of some of Monaghan's championship play was Paul Finlay's fielding at midfield and when the Ballybay man caught the ball in the seventh minute, he found substitute Hugh McElroy who drove the ball to the net. Derry had three unanswered points before Monaghan responded. Tom Freeman scored a point after Stephen Gollogly's pass before Shane McManus added another goal. Both sides saw opportunities go amiss and McManus managed to reduce the deficit to five points with four minutes left. Perhaps fittingly, however, Paddy Bradley rounded up a superb performance with a point a minute into stoppage time to give Derry a six point victory on a 2-14 to 2-8 scoreline. MONAGHAN: Shane Duffy; James Coyle, Vincent Corey, Colm Flanagan; Damien Freeman (0-2), Gary McQuaid, Dermot McArdle; Eoin Lennon, Fergal Duffy; Dick Clerkin, Paul Finlay (0-3), Stephen Gollogly (0-1); Nicholas Corrigan, Raymond Ronaghan, Tom Freeman (0-1). Subs: Shane McManus (1-1) for F Duffy; Hugh McElroy (1-0) for D Freeman; Fergal Smyth for G McQuaid; Declan McKernan for N Corrigan; James McElroy for S Gollogly. Since the introduction of the qualifier system, teams such as Fermanagh (2004) and Westmeath (2001) have had roller-coaster rides after early exits in their provincial championships. Despite his disappointment in defeat, Seamus McEnaney, in an interview with The Northern Standard after the game spoke about reaching the last 16 of the championship. "When we had our team meeting on the Monday after the league win in Croke Park we made it our aim to be in the last 16 for the draw in the championship and that is still our aim. I know that these boys have the character and the determination to make that happen for themselves. We'll be there." Prophetic words they proved. Monaghan could however be thankful that their championship aspirations albeit via the backdoor. Although London had given Roscommon the fright of their lives in their Connacht Championship clash, playing the exiles was surely the perfect platform for Monaghan upon which to relaunch their backdoor challenge. Interestingly, on June 19th, Damien McKenna lined out for the exiles at full-back but there was to be no fairytale return for the Clontibret man as Monaghan won comprehensively. London's only goal in the 12th minute put them in front but from then on the home side were rarely threatened. With 15 minutes elapsed, London were level at 1-3 to 0-6 but goals from Hugh McElroy and Stephen Gollogly and a number of points gave Monaghan a 2-10 to 1-3 half-time lead. Midway through the second half, Monaghan had a lead of 13 points. This control was never to be relinquished with the home team easing to a 12-point win. MONAGHAN: Shane Duffy; Dermot McArdle, James Coyle, Colm Flanagan; Damien Freeman, Vincent Corey, Gary McQuaid; Dick Clerkin (0-1), Eoin Lennon; James McElroy, Paul Finlay (0-6), Shane McManus; Tom Freeman (0-3), Hugh McElroy (1-8), Stephen Gollogly (1-0). Subs: Raymond Ronaghan for J McElroy; Francie Doogan for E Lennon; Nicholas Corrigan for S McManus; Declan McKernan for D Clerkin; Bernard O'Brien for H McElroy. Wexford provided the next challenge for Monaghan. The Leinster side had contested the League Division One final in April. Their Leinster championship campaign began with victory over Carlow before they were narrowly defeated by Dublin in the semi-final. Curtailing Mattie Forde would be crucial to Monaghan's progression. Colm Flanagan had the responsibility of marking Forde and he thwarted his influence throughout the game. Flanagan did the perfect corner-back's job. By the final whistle Forde had scored seven points but he had been limited to a solitary point from play. Tom Freeman was central to much of what Monaghan did up front. At midfield Paul Finlay made some wonderful catches, aiding his forwards up front. At half-time Monaghan led by 0-9 to 0-6. Diarmuid Kinsella reduced the lead to two points early in the second half. Wexford were then dealt a body blow when Niall Murphy was dismissed for a second yellow card. Entering the final eight minutes Mattie Forde and Nicholas Corrigan exchanged points. Wexford reduced the lead to three points but Monaghan finished strongly with both Freeman's registering on the scoreboard. Monaghan advanced by five points on a 0-17 to 0-12 scoreline. MONAGHAN: Shane Duffy; Dermot McArdle, James Coyle, Colm Flanagan; Damien Freeman (0-2), Vincent Corey, Gary McQuaid (0-1); Dick Clerkin, Eoin Lennon; James McElroy, Paul Finlay (0-4), Raymond Ronaghan (0-1); Tom Freeman (0-4), Hugh McElroy, Stephen Gollogly. Subs: Nicholas Corrigan (0-1) for S Gollogly; Declan McKernan (0-1) for S McManus; Fergal Duffy for E Lennon. Louth provided the opposition for Monaghan in the next round. Breffni Park was the venue for this intriguing tie of the local rivals on July 21. Louth had been defeated by Offaly in the Leinster Championship but the Wee County had overcome Roscommon in their first qualifying game. Val Andrews' team started brightly with two early points. Monaghan responded with Tom Freeman tapping over and minutes later Hugh McElroy scored the only goal of the game after eleven minutes. Darren Clarke's free-taking ability kept Louth in touch but by half-time Monaghan were six points in front at 1-8 to 0-5. Monaghan led by five points midway through the second half. Louth were then dealt a body blow when Nicky McDonnell was sent off after a foul on Dick Clerkin but the numerical disadvantage seemed to be the kick-start which Louth needed. Paul Finlay's 56th minute free left Monaghan 1-12 to 0-9 in front but that was Monaghan's last score. Louth put relentless pressure on their opponents in the final quarter, kicking five points without reply. On a number of occasions, Shane Duffy came to the rescue, producing some wonderful saves. Monaghan's full-back line in particular was severely tested but crucially, Louth were unable to find the goal which would, at least, have brought the game into extra-time. Louth's players appeared disgruntled with the referee Martin Duffy after the game and manager Val Andrews, while gracious in defeat, spoke of the "mixed messages" he gave Louth's players regarding time remaining. Monaghan: Shane Duffy; Dermot McArdle, James Coyle, Colm Flanagan; Damien Freeman, Vincent Corey, James Conlon; Paul Finlay (0-5), Eoin Lennon; James McElroy, Stephen Gollogly, Dick Clerkin (0-2); Tom Freeman (0-2), Fergal Duffy, Hugh McElroy (1-3). Subs: Nicholas Corrigan for F Duffy; Declan McKernan for S Gollogly. For Seamus McEnaney, however, there was delight that his team had progressed to the last 12 of the Championship. Tyrone would provide the opposition. Monaghan now had the chance to prove themselves against the best. McEnaney also got his wish of playing in Croke Park and Rory Woods was set to return from a twelve-week suspension. In the opening quarter, Monaghan played some exquisite football. Leading by two points after 12 minutes, things got better when after a quick free taken by James McElroy, the ball found its way to Tom Freeman. Cutting in from the right, the corner-forward beat Tyrone goalkeeper Pascal McConnell to put the Farney men five points in front. The delirium among the Monaghan faithful almost turned to ecstasy a minute later. Monaghan supporters were on their feet when Rory Woods found himself one-on-one with McConnell but this time the Tyrone shotstopper was equal to the task. Tyrone began to up the tempo of their own game. Stephen O'Neill began to look dangerous and it was he who scored Tyrone's opening goal after 30 minutes to level affairs. Though leading at half-time by 1-6 to 1-5, things looked ominous for Monaghan. Tyrone looked to have weathered the Monaghan storm. Talisman Peter Canavan was introduced in the second half. By the sixth minute Ryan Mellon's free put his side in the lead for the first time. Canavan forced Shane Duffy into a good save. Tyrone's experience was beginning to tell. With ten minutes remaining, Damien Freeman was dismissed for a second bookable offence. Tyrone coasted to victory. Stephen O'Neill's second goal ensured victory with Martin Penrose and Canavan adding further points. Tyrone fully merited the victory but manager Mickey Harte afterwards acknowledged Monaghan's strong first half performance, admitting that his side had not deserved to win by ten points. Seamus McEnaney, praised his players for their effort throughout Monaghan's best championship year since 1988. His aim, he said, was to win the Anglo-Celt cup within the next few years. "As I said before my ultimate aim is to win an Ulster senior championship. This year we have shown that we have the bottle for the big occasion and if all of the people that I've talked about continue to put in the same effort that they did this year that dream will become a reality." MONAGHAN: Shane Duffy; Dermot McArdle, James Coyle, Colm Flanagan; Damien Freeman, Vincent Corey, Gary McQuaid; Dick Clerkin, Eoin Lennon; James McElroy, Paul Finlay (0-2), Rory Woods (0-1); Tom Freeman (1-1), Hugh McElroy (0-3), Stephen Gollogly. Subs: Fergal Duffy for S Gollogly; Nicholas Corrigan for J McElroy; Declan McKernan for R Woods; James Conlon for D Clerkin. The fairytale had ended. However, Monaghan could reflect on a progressive year. The aim of playing Division One football and reaching the last 12 of the championship had been achieved. A number of players had matured into notable championship players. Tom Freeman's talents had always been known in Monaghan GAA circles but members of the national media began to recognise the ability of the Magheracloone man. His lightning speed and accuracy will continue to pose a threat to opposing defences. Brother Damien led by example in the half-back line while others such as Paul Finlay and Shane Duffy were consistent. Dermot McArdle's experience proved invaluable. Monaghan's management team of Seamus McEnaney, Gerry McCarville, Gerry Hoey and Bernie Murray deserve immense credit for the progression made by this team. Their targets have been reached. Pride was put into the jersey. A buzz was created around the county. The question now is whether the team can build upon this success in Division One in 2006. Tweet

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