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Monaghan GAA thread

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Replying To MonaghanMan44life:  "Second week in a row we have picked up multiple injuries. Reports are the S&C structure is farcical.
On review, if we look at the few players that have been involved for the past 2 years there's literally no physical improvement being seen, Irwin, Callan etc. all fast tracked into senior set up and look like they are still playing minors.
Is there any accountability on things like this in Monaghan, who reviews progress or lack of it at the end of each year?
Some of these players were also taking away from club structure in September with the narrative being they will get better quality S&C in cloghan… can't see that happening again when you look at the amount of injuries."
Barry Mckenna is a great S&c coach with underage players within the county gives them great foundation into it , yet again can't question a qualified S&c coach who last year had a real fit & strong team last year so it's not changed of personnel, lads being pulled in September are receiving better s&c that they would of been getting at clubs

Ulsterman12 (Monaghan) - Posts: 22 - 03/02/2026 10:04:16    2654716

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Anyone else agree on this that these so called future stars for Monaghan such as Tommy mallen , max Maguire, Sean og mcelwain , would they be the same player at the likes of Cremartin , carrickmacross , Blaney , I don't think they would , I think it will be the players under the radar that age will be more of a impact for the county in coming years

Ulsterman12 (Monaghan) - Posts: 22 - 03/02/2026 10:06:08    2654717

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Replying To MonGaa123:  "This is an important game for the season today. I can't see us staying in division one but 2 wins in the league might give the lads some confidence for the ulster championship. Roscommon has to be one of those wins.

We look like we need more physicality in the central areas of the pitch. After the retirements of the Hughes, Kieran duffy, finty kelly and these lads over the last few years we have to get some big physical players in. Are there any big physical lads that could join the panel from the likes of Drumhowan, Oram, Aghabog etc.. clubs that are known for physicality?"
You havnt seen too many junior games lately I presume, don't think you'll get to many big lads from the bog they seem to get smaller every year !

Clubman57 (Monaghan) - Posts: 27 - 03/02/2026 10:20:38    2654723

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The level a lot are playing club football has to be a factor. Watched McManus Laochra Gael the last day and was evident the team was made up of the top players in the county and mostly senior players, how much players on this team playing regular senior club football …. there is few.
A lot being said about the current u20's etc, but you shouldn't be depending on these men should be looking at the ones that came through years ago and are 24/25/26/27 these are the players who are the top club performers in the county.
The county panel to me looks like its made up of anyone who'd go, where's the likes of mcbennett, a man bannigan would gladly take in the middle right now but he didn't use any of these men last year and they all left. 12 players or so, that's your issue, they'd all play over any of these new players everyone wants blooded in now why weren't they blooded in? instead of flogging the old brigade. Kevin Loughran, jack doogan, dean McDonnell etc

Deadballmerchant (Monaghan) - Posts: 41 - 03/02/2026 11:27:08    2654736

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Replying To Ulsterman12:  "Anyone else agree on this that these so called future stars for Monaghan such as Tommy mallen , max Maguire, Sean og mcelwain , would they be the same player at the likes of Cremartin , carrickmacross , Blaney , I don't think they would , I think it will be the players under the radar that age will be more of a impact for the county in coming years"
Do they use different balls in Cremartin carrick and blayney?

farneygael3 (Monaghan) - Posts: 516 - 03/02/2026 11:33:44    2654737

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a lot of doom and gloom here...but it was an improvement on the armagh game...Better team won but their goals also flattered the scoreline and ultimately were the only difference...remember we lost to roscommon in the hyde last year? its a difficult place to go...we lost there by 5 last year when we all thought we were class

it was very notable that we dont have an out and out forward that we can lump ball into... there were a few instances where we were on the move forward and plenty of space ahead but ended up taking the scenic route

thought defence did quite well actually - plenty of turnover ball...and great to have beggan back who wasnt to blame for any of the goals IMO...

Midfield still an issue - I dont wanna be too cruel on players but Mohan is raw at the best of times and Gallagher not a midfielder...having said that they both still start the next day for me possibly with mick mccarville too

MalsBalls (Monaghan) - Posts: 260 - 03/02/2026 12:33:00    2654762

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Replying To Ulsterman12:  "Anyone else agree on this that these so called future stars for Monaghan such as Tommy mallen , max Maguire, Sean og mcelwain , would they be the same player at the likes of Cremartin , carrickmacross , Blaney , I don't think they would , I think it will be the players under the radar that age will be more of a impact for the county in coming years"
good point, lets not forget these were the main men in the reserve team earlier this year and couldn't get scotstown across the line. They are good but still under the shadow of the big names, every team was looking out for the others, these boys will be picked up this year and only then we can tell.

Deadballmerchant (Monaghan) - Posts: 41 - 03/02/2026 12:41:31    2654770

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Replying To Ulsterman12:  "Barry Mckenna is a great S&c coach with underage players within the county gives them great foundation into it , yet again can't question a qualified S&c coach who last year had a real fit & strong team last year so it's not changed of personnel, lads being pulled in September are receiving better s&c that they would of been getting at clubs"
Barry McKenna isn't with the seniors as far as I'm aware it's a fella from Armagh. McKenna was back with Scotstown last year and is credited with having a significant roll to their Ulster success.
Are they receiving better S&C though, that's my point, look at the amount of injuries. Who's asking the relevant questions on the injury crisis Bannigan keeps referring too?

MonaghanMan44life (Monaghan) - Posts: 148 - 03/02/2026 13:30:51    2654780

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Replying To farneygael3:  "Do they use different balls in Cremartin carrick and blayney?"
If they played for these clubs, they'd be getting marked by the oppositions best / 2nd best defenders. In the new rules, you can only really afford to man mark 3 or 4 players, the rest of the team are set up in the defensive shape and shift across the field left/right depending on where the ball is. Against Scotstown/Tydavney/Ballinode/Knocktallon/Currin, it's a case of 'too many fires to put out', which leaves space for Mallen/Maguire and others to play.
The young lads are obviously excellent, but they're not getting the same defensive attention that they would be getting if they played for a lesser club.

HB245 (Monaghan) - Posts: 290 - 03/02/2026 13:34:25    2654783

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Replying To MalsBalls:  "a lot of doom and gloom here...but it was an improvement on the armagh game...Better team won but their goals also flattered the scoreline and ultimately were the only difference...remember we lost to roscommon in the hyde last year? its a difficult place to go...we lost there by 5 last year when we all thought we were class

it was very notable that we dont have an out and out forward that we can lump ball into... there were a few instances where we were on the move forward and plenty of space ahead but ended up taking the scenic route

thought defence did quite well actually - plenty of turnover ball...and great to have beggan back who wasnt to blame for any of the goals IMO...

Midfield still an issue - I dont wanna be too cruel on players but Mohan is raw at the best of times and Gallagher not a midfielder...having said that they both still start the next day for me possibly with mick mccarville too"
Bennet and McPhillips absence is being felt now

Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1284 - 03/02/2026 15:12:43    2654801

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Replying To Ulsterman12:  "Not really valid is it , considering Fossa made Kerry intermediate final losing to team that won the club intermediate all Ireland , also comparing Clifford cop on"
Your statement on how good a player is depends on if they play junior or senior is just not valid.. Fossa played Junior in 2022 with both Cliffords in the team.

Farney (Monaghan) - Posts: 824 - 03/02/2026 17:13:39    2654835

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