An expected Derry win but the margin a concern. Anyone at the game with a balanced report on how it went? Despite a number of regulars to come back, monaghan are in transition and this could be a difficult year, it will take time for new players to establish themselves and even at that, weather they can do it at the highest level remains to be seen. Massive game in the Hyde next week, the fixtures still might go monaghans way with mayo on the last day if I'm not mistaken, they are in new York the week after. But next week is a four pointer.

222 (UK) - Posts: 694 - 17/02/2024 18:52:16    2526524

veterngaa (Monaghan) - Posts: 390 - 17/02/2024 19:06:22    2526527

McGuirk1985@ (Monaghan) - Posts: 71 - 17/02/2024 20:36:54    2526553

With retirements players stepping away injuries vinny needs a bigger panel so giving lads experience at this level is something he has to do. He has no other option. We were lucky we didnt have Derry in our first game and dublin tonight as wed have no points. Its a tightrope we are walking giving lads experience and staying in the division. Anyone know story with mccarthy. Hes a crucial player who if gone for a lengthy period would be a massive blow.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1799 - 17/02/2024 21:02:07    2526558

monman91 (Monaghan) - Posts: 42 - 18/02/2024 05:59:40    2526591

Bernardo (Monaghan) - Posts: 595 - 18/02/2024 07:10:32    2526594

Last night was just an awful night at the office everything that could go wrong did go wrong and we got punished severely for our mistakes.

Derry at near full strength with Mark Lynch and Gareth McKinless the only players missing from the line up that lost to Kerry in the All Ireland semi final.

Monaghan on the other hand started with 5 players who started against Dublin in Croke Park and by half time with injuries to McAnespie and O'Hanlon were down to three that started the semi final.

Monaghan have been ravaged with Injuries during the start of the league..

However last night Derry played at a completely different tempo, sweeping up the pitch with pace and numbers. The first a brilliant example of moving the ball from side of the pitch to the other at pace, the second and third lethal counter attacks.

A lot of lads learned last night that if you make mistakes at this level you get punished and punished severely. Kieran Duffy made two errors in the second half that ended with goals.

Maybe a bit of cuteness is missing from the young lads I think a few tactical fouls could have prevented the last two goals.

On the plus side its good to have Dessie Ward and Darren Hughes back.

Unfortunately with amount of players missing it's a new team being blooded at the highest level. Here's hoping the physios can get a few lads back off the physio tables and onto the pitch over the next few weeks.

shaggylegend (Monaghan) - Posts: 1928 - 18/02/2024 09:18:55    2526601

222 (UK) - Posts: 694 - 18/02/2024 11:46:31    2526625

Injuries morenof a concern than last nights final score. Looks like Vinny hasn't targeted points from Derry or Kerry (just as well). Next week will tell the tale as they will have to be going full tilt.

Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1058 - 18/02/2024 13:46:45    2526638

stoneygrey (Monaghan) - Posts: 213 - 18/02/2024 13:57:55    2526640

McGuirk1985@ (Monaghan) - Posts: 71 - 18/02/2024 14:22:26    2526645

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 18/02/2024 16:29:41    2526697

McGuirk1985@ (Monaghan) - Posts: 71 - 18/02/2024 16:34:47    2526700

veterngaa (Monaghan) - Posts: 390 - 18/02/2024 19:19:59    2526763

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 18/02/2024 20:01:27    2526780

veterngaa (Monaghan) - Posts: 390 - 18/02/2024 21:01:53    2526813

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 121 - 20/02/2024 01:21:48    2527121

I'm chalking off the first 3 rounds of the league as an extension of pre-season. I think most people would've taken 2 points from those 3 games at the outset. Like Vinny says its not panic stations yet... we have the 4 "easier" games to come now so continue introducing our senior players and hope for the best. another 2 wins cant be out of the question.

The Cavan game is becoming more and more mouth watering as time goes on. They're seemingly going well and we're still getting into gear...id prefer to be coming good later in the league than now

quick point on tv scheduling this weekend as I don't see our game listed...I know we always give out here and maybe its obvious to the neutral fan but to be fair this roscommon game is a proper relegation battle where the outcome will more seriously affect the table structure than, say, the Tyrone Mayo game... even the dublin kerry game - its obvious why theyre showing it but in reality nobody including their own fans will care too much about the outcome...the tv folk don't see it that way though and prefer to attract the bigger audience

MalsBalls (Monaghan) - Posts: 180 - 20/02/2024 10:48:08    2527159

What is the story with Lavelle, I missed the start of the Northern sound coverage of the Derry game but the impression I got during the coverage was that he was taken of the starting 15 at the last minute and didn't hear his named mentioned during the match. But I then seen him listed on some of the papers as starting. Is he injured as well?

Also I see Ronan Boyle was on the UU team that won the Sigerson. Is he on the Panel? If he can make that UU team you would think he would be worth a run out in the league to see where he is at in terms of making the step up.

TheHunter (Monaghan) - Posts: 14 - 20/02/2024 11:29:02    2527166

You boys are some laugh. Win and the league is the be-all and end-all, lose a few and its back to being a pre-season competition. Make up your mind!
The way its looking now on points and score difference in the league, there will be a Div1 team playing a Div 2 team on April 7th in the championship but it will be the opposite way round to what everyone thinks now. That might suit your boys because they prefer being underdogs- old habits die hard.
Tick tock...

MadgeKing (Cavan) - Posts: 493 - 20/02/2024 14:46:59    2527206