I hope the Monaghan lads are relishing the prospect of Saturday evening. A crack at the all Ireland Champions in front of a huge crowd in Croke Park, is the stuff of dreams for any young footballer growing up in Monaghan. Like some of the previous posters mentioned days like this seemed a long way off a few years ago. Malachy O'Rourke his backroom team and the players deserve a huge amount of credit. There is a real buzz following Monaghan again. I walked past my local GAA pitch on Monday afternoon and saw a group of 9/10 year olds out on the pitch kicking the ball around and calling themselves Beggan, McManus, Hughes etc. It really brought a smile to my face
Re Dublin, I wish people wouldn't bang on about the pick they have, the sponsorship, the digs about semi-professionalism etc etc, the fact is the Dublin players put in as much effort as every other inter county player and they deserve all the success they get.
Dublin are rightly favourites but I'll be having a small wager on Moaghan at 10/1 and hopefully covering it with a bet on Monaghan at evs with the handicap. Bookies rarely get it wrong but I do think the handicap odds are extremely generous.
Anyway I cant wait for Saturday and the hairs will be standing on the back of my neck with the roar that greets the Monaghan team onto the pitch. I'm also looking forward to seeing the hill in full voice. Best of luck to all, lets hope its a great game and that Monaghan just edge it :)

Moscow (Monaghan) - Posts: 61 - 06/08/2014 14:49:06    1632487

Bermuda Gael
Good point re: James McCarthy, a very underrated quality player, works hard off the ball, takes an exceptional player to get the better of him. To mind, the only player i can think of who really gave him a tough time was Paul Galvin a couple of years back.

The problem for Monaghan thou is if Jack McCaffrey plays on the other side he can cause huge problems too.

Dublin have to be massive favourites, but im sure Monaghan will give it their all.

May the best team win.

HenryHill16 (Dublin) - Posts: 249 - 06/08/2014 15:06:13    1632494

Bermuda Gael
County: Monaghan
Posts: 89

1632461
I don't think the tired legs will come into it - the Monaghan boys will be buzzing after winning on Saturday night


I think its a tall order, Dublin have been preparing for 3 weeks to play a match on the weekend of the 9th of August. Their training will have been tailored so that they are fresh and ready for playing that weekend.

Monaghan didn't have that luxury, they played a tough match last Saturday. They have 7 days to recover and then prepare for the next challenge. For that reason I feel Dublin will stretch them over the 70 mins.

Was there any particular reason why the Provincial winners and runner's up are all cramped into the same side of the draw?

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3026 - 06/08/2014 15:19:14    1632501

Good post Moscow! Fair play! And best of luck to you too!

DUBJOHN (Dublin) - Posts: 941 - 06/08/2014 15:38:29    1632513

I understand what you're saying GaryMc82 but I think the mental boost of an epic win in Croker will bring it's own freshness. My point is that if Dublin beat us it won't be because we had a game 7 days before and as such were tired

Bermuda Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 106 - 06/08/2014 16:04:01    1632530

HenryHill16

Will McCaffrey start?? He's incredible going forward but had a difficult time against Donnacha Walsh when he was forced to defend in the semi last year. McCarthy for me is a bigger threat as he can defend equally as well as he attacks

Bermuda Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 106 - 06/08/2014 16:17:21    1632540

I don't think the short break means a lot. Look at the hurling last year. Teams coming into games after 3/4 in a row were beating allegedly fresh teams. Modern training and recovery takes account of all this. A good hard game a week before a big match is worth ten training sessions.

What is the word on Clerkin? Is is injured?

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 06/08/2014 16:45:36    1632573

Maybe some of you's have seen it but worth the read
[url=]linkhttp://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/five-reasons-why-monaghan-could-shock-dublin-this-weekend-30487909.html[url=]link

MonaghanGlory (Monaghan) - Posts: 738 - 06/08/2014 16:49:12    1632574

Looking forward to Sat.

Different type of opposition for our boys.
Will be interesting to see how both teams cope...

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4484 - 06/08/2014 17:13:03    1632593

The rumour on Clerkin is a broken foot - to be honest not sure if he'll start fit or not as he lack of pace would be a serious problem against the Dubs. A fantastic servant for Monaghan whose had a great year but this might be a game too far

Bermuda Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 106 - 06/08/2014 17:30:49    1632603

@seanfinn

Like i said before, it depends what way Monaghan set up. I imagine it will be either ultra defensive a la parking the bus or their better game using the counter attack. If Monaghan play with one or two forwards inside our third then i would double mark them. If they don't and are somewhat more adventurous then i wouldn't as it would expose other areas. The main point being that if Monaghan's whole game plan is dictated by stopping us then we must counter that by stopping them and nullifying the threat of their exposed forwards is the obvious approach.

Thats what i would do, will Jim Gaving do that? Most probably not. But he did take steps to take defensive tactics into consideration as an U21 manager so perhaps he will again. Time will tell...

seany16 (Dublin) - Posts: 1663 - 06/08/2014 18:45:09    1632640

Jack Mccaffrey is only 20 this season for me he's the most exciting wing back in Gaa history, no one attacks at such speed as Jack yes there's better wing backs right now Keegan Boyle etc but no one is as exciting as Jack when he's running up the field at speeds I've never seen before in my life time. He is only going to get better.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 06/08/2014 21:46:09    1632719

Really looking forward to this, i think the atmosphere of the 3 Ulster counties fans roaring against us will be something else( which i think is understandable and will add to the occasion). Im delighted for Monaghan fans to have a game like this to look forward to , its a meeting that hasnt happened in a long time, they have made great strides over the last few years and the GAA needs more counties like Monaghan stepping up. Its going to be a really interesting game, from my point of view for Dublin to be considered a great team they have to be able to overcome any defensive plan Monaghan put up and win. From Monaghans point of view its 2 teams and on any given day upsets happen, they certainly have some very good players capable of punishing us if we are not totally focussed .What we wont know until the day arrives is , will the day and occasion drive Monaghan on or will it be a bridge too far .

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 06/08/2014 21:49:28    1632721

clondalkindub
County: Dublin
Posts: 5240

1632719
Jack Mccaffrey is only 20 this season for me he's the most exciting wing back in Gaa history, no one is as exciting as Jack when he's running up the field at speeds I've never seen before in my life time.

Haha, good man clondalkin, up there with royaldunne in the pure devotion stakes.

I hope ROC doesn't find out that he has competition!!!

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 07/08/2014 08:12:37    1632740

Thanks for that Bermuda. I hope he does play as he is player I have admired and I think he would be big loss to you.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 07/08/2014 09:21:02    1632766

I speak the truth Muck , The Roc against Meath was outstanding he's nearly back to full fitness, and I've never in all my years watching Gaa seen a more exciting wing back than Jack he was only 19 last season and he was poty up to the semi final most people on here weren't talking about how you can stop Dublin they were talking about how to stop Mccaffrey , Jim has minded him this year cause he knows how important he is to our team but he's back now and that's bad news for Monaghan.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 07/08/2014 09:37:26    1632772

If it's any consolation Dubs, I find the persistent 'Dublin Region' reference highly irritating and tiresome too. I don't even know what it supposed to mean either...'Réigiún Chill Dara' might have made more sense when Micko was there, what with Lacey, O Dwyer, McCarthy et al!!

Difficult to see Muineachán making a big dent in the Jacks- exciting as last Saturday was, the quality of football will need a huge step up. Would still be roaring for them though if they trouble the counsels of the Boys In Blue (as I'm sure anyone with a soul was back in 2007 when we stole it at the death)

an tseabhac (Kerry) - Posts: 441 - 07/08/2014 10:20:59    1632794

If any team deserves it it's Mayo half there team aren't even born in the county.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 07/08/2014 11:12:40    1632833

It would be silly to suggest that Dublin will just allow space for the Monaghan full forward line to do damage. They have know since the start of the championship that they would have to set up a specific game plan for the Donegal semi if it comes around. Monaghan is the ideal test for them. In saying that Dublin have some excellent man markers, Johnny Copper and Mick Fitzimons are top class. If things do get bad like the semi v Kerry last year, Cian O Sullivan can come back. Short kick outs will be crucial especially with Dublin's running game, Monaghan got taken apart in the Ulster final by not pushing up, they cant make the same mistake again.

222 (UK) - Posts: 873 - 07/08/2014 11:35:20    1632861

the same can be said for loads of counties clondalkin who dont have a maternity hospital so what has that got to do with anything?...some people really need to do some thinking

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 07/08/2014 12:09:38    1632893