Replying To supermon: "Ok, serious performance from the lads. Well done to team and management. Wasn't to be on the day but immensely proud of the team.
One gripe and I may sound like an old fart but saying it, but this year I really felt Clones was taken over by a drunken loutish crowd. Ulster finals always has had happy memories but I felt it could have turned violent at any point.
How, with such demand for tickets, were so many given to drunken 16-22 year olds that seemed to want to use an Ulster final as some sort of electric picnic style festival? Some of their behaviour was just ridiculous. I witness a few rows on my way to and from the field. There must of been 30-40 buses full of drunken kids parked up on the diamond and surrounding streets.
The game was put on too late in the day, allowing bus loads to arrive in clones tanked up to the gills. I feel the GAA and clubs have to address this.
Like it's supposed to be a family occasion."
I too was immensely proud of the teams performance today, they died with their boots on. Probably too many players coming back from injury that just didn't have the final kick in them compared to Armagh. The shots falling short in extra time were clearly due to tired legs and tired minds.
Its going to take great management to get the bodies recovered, and to get the tactical stuff nailed down for the Mayo game. Hopefully Gabriel and the boys can do it.
Finally, I have to agree with Supermom, the behaviour of the youngsters was a disgrace. And the behaviour during Amhran Na bhFiann was deplorable. For what should be a great family day has turned into something that it shouldn't.
If Sunday confirmed one thing, it's this Monaghan team can compete with the best there is and are well suited to the new rules!
Congrats to all involved on another very good performance and Ulster campaign that in truth only a small number of Monaghan people believed could happen following a very difficult league. Were it not for one or two small mistakes as a result of a greasy surface, a few key injuries, some players recovering from injury that are not yet fully fit and cramp setting in with others, Monaghan could easily have gone home with the Anglo Celt cup. The Armagh bench was just that little more effective than Monaghan's on the day and Armagh seemed to have more energy towards the end of the game which is no surprise.
There was very little between the sides and congratulations to Armagh who are deserving of this Ulster title.
Mayo ,always a difficult opponent for Monaghan, will be well prepared now but hopefully some Monaghan injuries clear up before then and the players and management pick themselves up following this set back and see the bigger picture and believe what's possible now for this developing squad that are well positioned to go deep into the summer. There won't be many teams looking forward to playing this Monaghan team that's for sure. The supporters need to get behind Monaghan for the remaining games now as Mayo will bring a large following and could easily outnumber Monaghan if the supporters don't continue to get behind the team.
Finally, goals win games and despite the heroics and many great two pointers in each of the ulster championship games to date, Monaghan need to start creating and taking goal chances to get over the top teams from here on in. They are well capable of doing so but there should be more emphasis on this. One goal in three championship games is a poor return and there were not too many efforts on goal in any of the games to date. Clones would have erupted on Sunday had Monaghan raised the green flag.
It would be great to see this Monaghan team in Croke Park this summer - it's still possible - fingers crossed!