Progress in football parlance can be gauged in many ways. In assessing the Monaghan minors' achievement in reaching the Ulster championship decider in 2001, one is struck by the irony associated with Monaghan's defeat of Donegal en route to the decider. Just five years ago, Monaghan exited the minor provincial championship after suffering a 0-2 to 4-15 defeat to the Tir Chonaill lads. Progress or what? As far as the territory of Ulster is concerned, Monaghan minors came, saw and nearly conquered. There's no shame in ultimately losing out to All-Ireland champions-in-the making. In the run-up to their initial clash with Dublin in the national decider, it's significant that some members of the all-conquering Tyrone side fingered their clash with Monaghan in the Ulster final as the team's most difficult assignment in 2001. For their part, those within the inner sanctums of Monaghan's minor board have since suggested in the aftermath of their team's highly respectable campaign that the county is good enough to go one step better in 2002. And who could seriously ridicule their forecast considering that the self-same Tyrone panel lost out in the 2000 provincial decider only to rebound the following year. In addition, eleven of Monaghan's Class of 2001 will be under starter's orders again come next May. "In 2000 we lost the league final to Tyrone. In 2001 we lost the Ulster final to Tyrone but in 2002, I believe we can win both competitions," outgoing minor team-manager Des Patton boomed. Yes indeed, gaels in Monaghan have much to be optimistic about where the future prospects of their best minor talent is concerned. In reflecting on the county's 2001 campaign, there is the satisfaction to be gained that the team at least achieved their objective for 2001. An Ulster final place was the target and Des Patton and his assistants and their panel of highly-committed players were spot on in that regard. "We geared ourselves at the start of the year to getting to the Ulster final so in that respect we achieved our objective and but for a bout of injuries and a certain lack of self-belief, we could well have beaten Tyrone." Monaghan minors set out on their championship campaign with a visit to Enniskillen for a quarter-final meeting with Donegal, conquerors of Fermanagh (2-5 to 0-8) in the preliminary round. Monaghan - victors in the corresponding tie in Ballybofey - travelled to Brewster Park in upbeat mood to meet Donegal, boasting as they did a number of players within their ranks who had earlier in the year collected Rannafast Cup medals with Patrician High School, Carrickmacross and the county vocationals school team which won the All-Ireland title. In addition, the team managed to secure a morale-boosting 1-13 to 0-14 win over Louth in the final of the Fergal Shannon Memorial final just a week before the commencement of the provincial championship campaign. And as things transpired, Monaghan's first half showing certainly mirrored the team's tremendous sense of self-belief and ambition as they tore at their opponents with gusto and no little skill from the opening whistle. There was much grit in evidence too as the winners-elect had to withstand a sustained Donegal fightback to claim the spoils. In an overall splendid team effort, Ballybay's Paul Finlay was the star man for Monaghan as they built up a crucial 0-13 to 0-5 lead by half-time. In truth, Donegal hardly knew what hit them in that pulsating first half. A Paudie Finnegan point after 17 seconds set the tone for the first 30 minutes of the game with a flurry of points following over the course of the next 12 minutes. Wave after wave of attacks rained down on the Donegal goal with some exquisite points being scored by the aforementioned Finlay, Fintan Kindlon and Paul Meegan. Donegal opened their account in the 14th minute but Monaghan remained in pole position and a brace of Finlay frees helped ease his side into a clear-cut eight point lead by half-time. Monaghan were first off the mark in the second half when Paul Meegan converted a free but Donegal fought back hard and a Colm McFadden goal 11 minutes from time brought the northerners to within four points, 1-7 to 0-14, of Monaghan. Donegal could only add one more point though to their tally although Oriel 'keeper Paul McElroy had to make an important save in the closing minute to deny Donegal a goal. After the match, team-manager Patton was predictably happy with the result. "Having beaten them (Donegal) last year also, we felt fairly confident that we were good enough to do the double on them but, having said that, the lads still had to go out and do the business. In the end, they put in a very competent performance." Next up was a semi-final meeting on June 24th in Clones with Cavan, conquerors of Down in their previous encounter. Monaghan approached the semi-final intent on bridging an 18 year gap since their last appearance in the minor decider. That 18 year gap was soon to be no more. The build-up to the match was perfect with only slight injury worries to full-back Niall Flanagan and centre-half forward Gary McBride causing a bit of concern. On the other hand, the think-tank team had the satisfaction of having Damien Larkin from suspension and Martin and Vincent Corey back out of sick-bay. As with the Donegal win, three points was also to be Monaghan's winning margin over Cavan, 0-13 to 1-7. However, this time around it was Monaghan's opponents who enjoyed the better start to the match. Bolstered by the return of compromise rules international Nicholas Walsh from Australia, Cavan posed a really stern test for Monaghan. That said, Monaghan were first to score with Paul Meegan converting a free. The winners-elect were shocked just three minutes later though when James Clarke scored a very fine goal for Cavan and another two points from the Breffni Blues in the following six minutes added to Monaghan's troubles. Paudie Finnegan and Sean Maguire exchanged points either side of the 20th minute mark as the play continued to be fast and furious. Still despite Cavan's greater volume of possession, Monaghan remained really mean in defence, hard-working at midfield and hungry in attack. Monaghan were rewarded for their grit and tenacity by getting on level terms at the break, 0-8 to 1-5, after points from Dessie Mone and half-back Stephen Fitzpatrick saw Monaghan finish the half on a high note. Two points in the opening three minutes by Monaghan was just the start the team wanted in the second half and as Paul Finlay's influence on proceedings around the middle of the field so too did Monaghan's leverage all over the field. A great Francis Markey point in the 40th minute underlined Monaghan's increasing confidence even if the winners had a major let-off when Sean Brady crossed for Sean Maguire in front of goal only for the last-named to fire wide of the target. It was stalemate from there until the 55th minute when Damien Larkin scored a great point to leave Monaghan three points in front. And when a Paul Finlay point sailed over in the 57th minute, it was obvious that Cavan needed a goal to save the day. The Blues could only manage a point though. Credit to Stephen Gallogly however for a great injury-time block which prevented a glorious goal chance for Cavan. And the team-manager's reading of that win over the Breffni Blues? "I think it was our best performance of the championship. Cavan were physically superior to us but our lads showed a lot of passion and pride and really rose to the occasion. They thoroughly deserved to go through to the final." The spirited win over Cavan ensured that Monaghan were now gunning for a first Ulster minor championship title since 1945. Highly-vaunted Tyrone stood in their way. Convincing winners over Derry in their semi-final clash, Tyrone were the clear favourites to go one better than 2000. The Monaghan team-management trio of Des Patton, Seamus McMeel and Michael McKeown were hopeful of upsetting the apple-cart though, making two changes on the team which started against Cavan. Edmund Lennon replaced Glen Cumiskey in defence while Vincent Corey was handed a starting berth in place of his brother Martin. As in all closely contested championship encounters, goals are crucial. Sadly for Monaghan, it was Tyrone who bagged the all-important goals last July. Their slender 2-13 to 0-13 win did, however, reflect just how close Monaghan got to upsetting the odds. A splendid bid for glory had failed but just by two scores. Tyrone's goals in the 17th and 41st minutes were instrumental in securing the title for the O'Neill County. The scores set Monaghan back on their heels and although the match underdogs trailed by just 0-7 to 1-7 at the interval, Monaghan were always playing catch-up and were just that frustratingly fraction off the pace all the time. Monaghan played to the final whistle with a gutsy and proud display and Tyrone were glad of some amazing saves by their 'keeper and a brace of late points to ensure their ultimate victory. "You could see from the opening whistle just how determined Tyrone were not to lose their second final in a row, although I'd have to say I didn't envisage them as potential All-Ireland champions at the time. "We gave it our best shot. I thought we were on a roll when we came from being seven points down to being just four behind but then the penalty save by their goalkeeper after 55 minutes was the turning point in my view. We had a great momentum built up at that stage and if we had scored a goal then, I think we could have went on and won the game," Des reflects. Over the last two years, the county under 18s played six championship games, winning four of them but losing two crucially. A lot of momentum has been built up by Monaghan's minor brigade in recent times and, word has it, that Des Patton ain't going to rest 'till he has a title in the locker! Looks like further exciting (and successful) times lie ahead on the minor front. Tweet

Most Read Stories