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Monaghan GAA thread

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Whatever about Monaghan, Armagh were very impressive and really clicked on the day. A very experienced and developed squad and lets not forget All Ire winners in 2024. Monaghan on the other hand had 7 debutants accross the 70minutes and only 5 of the same lads that started match 1 of last years league according to GB. Based on those facts alone, that there was always going to be a gap in performances levels but that gap is going to close with each passing week as lads develop and get used to playing against the top teams. Its a time for calm - give lads a chance to get better and they wil do just that. TheN2 (Monaghan) - Posts: 4 - 28/01/2026 09:33:38 2653682 Link
Replying To updafaughs: "Monaghan have now got 3 schools playing McRory cup so that argument doesn't hold. Our Ladys were very unlucky not to reach the Semi Final" We might have three schools in the comp, but look at the sem this year and most years to be fair would exactly say they are competing Clubman57 (Monaghan) - Posts: 26 - 28/01/2026 09:33:58 2653683 Link
Replying To Ulsterman12: "Monaghans new crop of players coming just are not at the same level as to Donegal tyrone Armagh and Derry players the same age , I blame the schools system , all them players play high level football from start to finish , Donegal improved this by joining multiple schools into one to play Mcgrory cup so that's the difference in my opinion" Monaghan football is just in decline and that's it. Take a look at the club scene and it tells its own story. The reserve competitions are barely fulfilled, the leagues are long forgotten about and the championship is the only place where meaningful games take place - so for lads between the age of 21-40 that aren't playing county or college football you have maybe 3-6 meaningful games in a year. We had a boom from maybe 2006 onwards but in reality we're seeing the last knockings of that boom today, most clubs were still relying on fellas this last few years that were at the peak of their powers in 2015. The Scotstown boys will help but realistically how many of them would get into the Donegal, Tyrone or Armagh team? Beggan and Kieran Hughes? - says it all. Jjoniel79 (Monaghan) - Posts: 257 - 28/01/2026 10:01:13 2653692 Link
Replying To Ulsterman12: "Monaghans new crop of players coming just are not at the same level as to Donegal tyrone Armagh and Derry players the same age , I blame the schools system , all them players play high level football from start to finish , Donegal improved this by joining multiple schools into one to play Mcgrory cup so that's the difference in my opinion" Schools aren't the issue, they have a very limited amount of training & game time each year around club & intercounty. The problem with Monaghan football is the quality at club level. Look at the management teams in Tyrone & Armagh for example, majority are current or ex intercounty coaches and mangers. Currently outside of McCague in Scotstown & corduff who has a management team with recent intercounty experience (coaching or managing NOT playing), not many I can think of. Monaghans club structures are not up to the standard of some of our neighbours. Too many journey men who bounce in and back out just as quick. MonaghanMan44life (Monaghan) - Posts: 141 - 28/01/2026 10:49:44 2653701 Link
Replying To monaghanmad: "Honest opinions...Is Maguire/Mallon better than Irwin/Carey/Carolan?" Maguire/Mallon are not better than Carey/Carolan Ulsterman12 (Monaghan) - Posts: 17 - 28/01/2026 11:30:37 2653710 Link
Replying To updafaughs: "Monaghan have now got 3 schools playing McRory cup so that argument doesn't hold. Our Ladys were very unlucky not to reach the Semi Final" Dosent hold , how does it not ? Who beat our lady's yet again a Tyrone School , when was last time a Monaghan Scholl made a Final , my point is proven Ulsterman12 (Monaghan) - Posts: 17 - 28/01/2026 11:31:55 2653712 Link
Replying To Clubman57: "We might have three schools in the comp, but look at the sem this year and most years to be fair would exactly say they are competing" Sem couldn't win a kick out this year let alone a game. And the players they had at their disposal makes it more baffling. Our lady's came up against one the all Ireland favourites to be fair. farneygael3 (Monaghan) - Posts: 511 - 28/01/2026 11:34:03 2653713 Link
Replying To MonaghanMan44life: "Schools aren't the issue, they have a very limited amount of training & game time each year around club & intercounty. The problem with Monaghan football is the quality at club level. Look at the management teams in Tyrone & Armagh for example, majority are current or ex intercounty coaches and mangers. Currently outside of McCague in Scotstown & corduff who has a management team with recent intercounty experience (coaching or managing NOT playing), not many I can think of. Monaghans club structures are not up to the standard of some of our neighbours. Too many journey men who bounce in and back out just as quick." Schools are the issue! Younger players in Donegal Armagh and Tyrone go onto play Sigerson football , they hold that crown , playing higher level will bring these players on , Louis Kelly Ronan Boyle have improved massively from sigerson football up in Jordanstown Ulsterman12 (Monaghan) - Posts: 17 - 28/01/2026 11:43:50 2653714 Link
Exactly about Club structures, Senior has to go to 12 Teams to improve quality of Players Ulsterman12 (Monaghan) - Posts: 17 - 28/01/2026 11:44:56 2653715 Link
Replying To updafaughs: "Monaghan have now got 3 schools playing McRory cup so that argument doesn't hold. Our Ladys were very unlucky not to reach the Semi Final" You seem pleased about losing a quarter Final to a team who Didint make the Final ? Ulsterman12 (Monaghan) - Posts: 17 - 28/01/2026 11:47:03 2653716 Link
What will be interesting to see is if we get a bounce from that U17 team in 2023 over the next few years. 222 (UK) - Posts: 901 - 28/01/2026 14:20:51 2653747 Link
Replying To Ulsterman12: "Maguire/Mallon are not better than Carey/Carolan" Lord Almighty what a comment. ConyersHill04 (Monaghan) - Posts: 38 - 28/01/2026 14:33:45 2653753 Link
Replying To Ulsterman12: "Exactly about Club structures, Senior has to go to 12 Teams to improve quality of Players" Total nonsense. Back to 8 it should have went. ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 923 - 29/01/2026 02:19:50 2653849 Link
Replying To Ulsterman12: "Dosent hold , how does it not ? Who beat our lady's yet again a Tyrone School , when was last time a Monaghan Scholl made a Final , my point is proven" How often have Donegal schools made the Final? ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 923 - 29/01/2026 02:23:10 2653850 Link
Replying To Ulsterman12: "Maguire/Mallon are not better than Carey/Carolan" Agree 100%.. ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 923 - 29/01/2026 02:24:25 2653851 Link
Replying To monaghanmad: "Honest opinions...Is Maguire/Mallon better than Irwin/Carey/Carolan?" They're not near the same level as Irwin/Carey just yet. Teams would have matchups for 5 or 6 Scotstown lads ahead of both of those, which of course gives them easier matchups. Carey was attracting opposition's second best defender in every championship game this year and finished top scorer from play in the SFC. Both Irwin and Carey have started big games for Monaghan seniors. Maguire/Mallen are going to be special players but they're not that level just yet. HB245 (Monaghan) - Posts: 289 - 29/01/2026 10:18:24 2653869 Link
Replying To Ulsterman12: "Monaghans new crop of players coming just are not at the same level as to Donegal tyrone Armagh and Derry players the same age , I blame the schools system , all them players play high level football from start to finish , Donegal improved this by joining multiple schools into one to play Mcgrory cup so that's the difference in my opinion" 3 monaghan schools are playing McCrory cup football. One being beating to a semi final spot by a point and realistically should of won the game. All teams also have a decent group of coaches over them. Poor argument just to blame the school system. Monaghan_football (Monaghan) - Posts: 82 - 29/01/2026 10:47:59 2653875 Link
Replying To Monaghan_football: "3 monaghan schools are playing McCrory cup football. One being beating to a semi final spot by a point and realistically should of won the game. All teams also have a decent group of coaches over them. Poor argument just to blame the school system." I'm not just blaming the school system but it is a huge Factor IMO Ulsterman12 (Monaghan) - Posts: 17 - 29/01/2026 10:56:15 2653877 Link
What's the verdict for the match? Must need win for Both teams and anything else will likely lead to a drop to Division 2. Hoping our lads don't get into a false sense of pretence with a good display last weekend and memories of the league final are still There. I'm sure ye'll have Beggan and co back at the stage. Ros2013 (Roscommon) - Posts: 608 - 29/01/2026 12:09:34 2653894 Link
Replying To Ros2013: "What's the verdict for the match? Must need win for Both teams and anything else will likely lead to a drop to Division 2. Hoping our lads don't get into a false sense of pretence with a good display last weekend and memories of the league final are still There. I'm sure ye'll have Beggan and co back at the stage." big game and never easy in the hyde...honestly id take a 3 point defeat or better right now after last week... MalsBalls (Monaghan) - Posts: 258 - 29/01/2026 12:55:27 2653902 Link