Can anything really beat winning an All-Ireland? For the Monaghan county vocational schools side, victory over Kerry in the national decider last May, it was the sweetest of all victories. Kevin Carney reports. The memory of losing out to Tyrone in the Ulster final of 2000 at St. Mellans Park, Truagh still hurt. Although the team had excelled themselves in becoming the first side from Monaghan to make it through to the provincial vocational schools final, everyone connected with last year's team dearly wanted to win the title. A place in the final just wasn't good enough for what was an ambitious group of players and an expectant backroom team. However, victories over Down and Fermanagh and an impressive run-out against Scotstown ahead of the 2001 final against Cavan augured well for Monaghan's chances of making an historic breakthrough. And so to the evening of Thursday, March 22nd. An exciting Ulster decider and, ultimately, a great result for the Ballybay-backboned squad. A practically speechless Hugo Clerkin surveyed the scene at Clones as the Monaghan team and subs celebrated their outstanding win over Cavan in party style. "Monaghan football needs wins like this," the former star player and knowledgeable mentor suggested. Fellow team-manager Paddy Kerr plus selectors Shane Donoghue, Shane Lynch and Michael Doherty concurred with agreeable smiles. Neither of the four mentors could have imagined that even better times were just around the corner! Meanwhile, the defeated Cavan players could only look on dejectedly but, surely, couldn't have any excuses. In this case at least, the cream certainly rose to the top. Monaghan's 0-13 to 0-5 victory at St. Tighearnach's Park was as emphatic as it was clear-cut. It was also the county's inaugural provincial title win in the competition since former Monaghan County Board Secretary Michael Markey founded the organisation in 1959. Contrary to what pundits had suggested in the run up to the game, the Ulster Bank Inter-County Cup final wasn't quite the dramatic, edge-of-the seat affair predicted by some. And it didn't incorporate a nail-biting conclusion either. Instead, pre-match favourites Cavan were outclassed and outgunned on the day and though the Breffni side fought gallantly to the end, they were forced to stand aside for the all-conquering Monaghan lads. In careering to the provincial title, the Class of 2001 demonstrated a tremendous level of skill allied to admirable degrees of determination and commitment. Winning an inaugural provincial crown is always special and turning the tables on your neighbours into the bargain helps to put the tin hat on proceedings. In truth though, apart from the opening quarter when poor finishing by the match favourites let Monaghan off the hook, the winners-elect enjoyed the lion's share of possession and were deserving and worthy victors in the end. A Paul Finlay free got the would-be champions off to a good start but it was their opponents who impressed the most in the early stages as they dictated the pace and pushed forward with intent. However, Cavan - bidding to regain the title they last won in 1991 - flattered to deceive and Monaghan seemed to be encouraged by their opponent's profligacy and with Trevor Duffy dropping deep to assist his midfield, Monaghan gradually began to get on top. The Monaghan attack were somewhat slow to make an impression but more consistent and better deliveries from midfield and the accuracy of the aforementioned Finlay from frees and a point from Brian McCabe eventually saw the white and blues secure a 0-5 to 0-3 lead at the interval. On the restart, it was a case of one-way traffic for large periods as the Monaghan lads opened up their shoulders and played some of their best football of the campaign. Powered forward by a five-star display by Ballybay starlet Paul Finlay, Monaghan broke quickly and menacingly and when Darren Cassidy and Ted Duffy both notched a brace of points, Cavan looked in obvious trouble. There was simply no let-off for the Breffni Blues and another fine effort by Pauric Gallogly had Monaghan on cruise control, leading by 0-12 to 0-2 with some seven minutes remaining. Cavan refused to lie down though and it took a marvellous interception from Noel Coyle to deny the chasing team a vital goal. However, even when Seamus Clarke popped over a neat point for Cavan, the future Ulster and All-Ireland champions put their foot on the peddle to tag on a similar score through the outstanding Finlay. By that stage though, Monaghan had done more than enough to secure the county's first ever Ulster senior vocational schools title To book their passage through to the All-Ireland semi-final by means of an emphatic 0-13 to 0-5 win sent out a clear message to those others in the hunt for the national title. Meanwhile, Kerry were waiting in the wings. The new Ulster champions approached their tilt with the Kingdom - conquerors over Cork in the Munster final - at the Portlaoise venue on April 20th in optimistic mood. As things turned out, it took an inspired second half performance by the newly-crowned Ulster champions to overcome the Kingdom by 1-10 to 0-8 at the well-appointed O'Moore Park venue. Kerry played their best football in the first half and it wasn't until the 10th minute that Monaghan opened their account when Bryan McCabe sent the ball over the bar. After a lengthy stoppage of some 15 minutes because of an injury to Monaghan's Darren Cassidy, Monaghan were quickest into their stride and they duly equalised through Ballybay's Paul Finlay. Kerry proved worthy opponents though and a brace of points saw them lead by two with 21 minutes played of the first half. It was a similar story by the 30th minute as earlier points by the aforementioned Finlay and Kerry's O'Riordan. By half-time, Kerry retained their two point lead, 0-6 to 0-4. Kerry's lead only lasted a mere 12 seconds on the restart when a great move from the throw-in ended with Bryan McCabe blasting the ball to the Munstermen's net. Monaghan had their tails up at this stage but the Kerry lads showed admirable resolve to fight back and nick a one point lead eight minutes into the second half. Like true champions though, Monaghan finished with a flourish and six points without reply from the boots of Paul Finlay (3), Pauric Finnegan, Gary Connolly and Bryan McCabe ensured the Ulster champions' passage through to the All-Ireland decider. With seven of the Clara college side which had earlier in the year won the national under 18 title on board, the Offaly team went into the final at Pairc Tailteann on May 6th last in confident mood. Played in ideal conditions, the game may not have been one which would have pleased the purist over the hour but for sheer tension, drama and entertainment it deserved top marks. It was the Faithful County who created the most chances in a pretty low-key first half which featured some fairly poor finishing from both sides. Man of the match, Paul Finlay got Monaghan off to a good start with a converted 45 in the second minute only for the Leinster side to gain parity just three minutes later. It was nip and tuck throughout the game and there were no further scores until the 13th minute when Pauric Finnegan did well to give Monaghan a one point lead. Again though Offaly levelled by the end of the first quarter. Monaghan found themselves having to work very hard at times in defence but a series of wides by the Offaly lads and a goal ruled out for them because of an infringement in the squad meant that Monaghan trailed by just a single point in five by the half-time break. Monaghan were again on the back foot on the restart and a brace of points by the Faithful County made it a three point game. That was the signal though for a spirited fightback by the Ulster champions. With Paul Finlay playing a pivotal role, Monaghan began to bring the game to the leaders and in a five star display the Ballybay youngster rifled over five points as well as setting up substitute Niall Donaghy for a score which catapulted his side into a three points lead with 26 minutes played on the clock. As if to prove their worth, Offaly came back with all guns blazing and after 29 minutes there was only the minimum separating the sides. The tension among the big crowd and the respective camps was almost unbearable at this stage but the Monaghan players kept their cool to copper-fasted victory with a breakaway point scored by overlapping defender Noel Coyle. History was made and the daddy of the competition, the late Michael Markey, would doubtless have been so happy to see team captain Byran McCabe lift the cup in his honour aloft. Final score; Monaghan 0-9 Offaly 0-7 The Monaghan team, scorers and subs, which lined out against Offaly was as follows: Brian McCabe; Enda Keenan, Edmund Lennon, Patrick Fitzpatrick; Noel Coyle (0-1), Niall McCarville, Niall Connolly; Paul Finlay (0-6), Stephen Fitzpatrick; Pauric Finnegan (0-1), Trevor Meegan, Ted Duffy; Pauric Gallogly, Bryan McCabe, Gary Connolly. Subs; Niall Donaghy (0-1) and Daniel Farrelly. Tweet

Most Read Stories