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Monaghan GAA thread

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Replying To monaghanfootballfan:  "Huge disappointment. However this feels like the start of something. So what if we have injuries, bannigan and team are having huge success blooding lads. oisin mc gorman was immense. positioning was brillant. always found pockets on kickouts. Huge credit to Malone, the work on kickouts is a credit.Only negatives is bannigan and gallagher need a rest and beggan needs to speed up that kickout, amount of time o hanlon/lavelle/mc gorman and o toole were available for the mid range kickout and he didn't take it. Also too many turnovers but as this team grows this will become less of an issue"
I agree. Disappointment for sure, but tempered by a feeling we are looking at something new. It was a brilliant Ulster final all round. This team will not be devastated by a loss like that, it's part of a positive trajectory. All eyes on Mayo now...big support needed for that one.
BTW McGorman has been super in 2 games now. He is a real addition.

Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1337 - 18/05/2026 11:01:34    2673772

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Would Kieran Hughes have won that game yesterday for us? Look at Westmeath bringing Heslin in this week.

farneygael3 (Monaghan) - Posts: 673 - 18/05/2026 11:09:34    2673782

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You live and die by the sword. Bannigan did well to turn the team around and get to an Ulster final - then when we looked dead and buried he made a few switches and we roared back into the game. But by god in extra time he made some puzzling decisions.

Lavelle was still motoring well where's McCarville, O'Toole, Woods, Gallagher and O'Hanlon were absolutely out on their feet after 70 minutes. Fresh legs is the name of the game in extra time and to only bring Mohan on for the last 5 when we were bate and to leave dowd and Ryan Wylie on the bench for the whole thing was just bizarre? If they were fit for the bench they should have been well fit for 15-20 minutes of extra time football against a load of lads who just played 70! Maguire and hanratty were two separate subs as well which was bizarre. Make 3-4 at the one time and introduce a burst of freshness no?

Anyway what do I know, he got them there I suppose..

Jjoniel79 (Monaghan) - Posts: 273 - 18/05/2026 11:19:19    2673797

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Replying To Jjoniel79:  "You live and die by the sword. Bannigan did well to turn the team around and get to an Ulster final - then when we looked dead and buried he made a few switches and we roared back into the game. But by god in extra time he made some puzzling decisions.

Lavelle was still motoring well where's McCarville, O'Toole, Woods, Gallagher and O'Hanlon were absolutely out on their feet after 70 minutes. Fresh legs is the name of the game in extra time and to only bring Mohan on for the last 5 when we were bate and to leave dowd and Ryan Wylie on the bench for the whole thing was just bizarre? If they were fit for the bench they should have been well fit for 15-20 minutes of extra time football against a load of lads who just played 70! Maguire and hanratty were two separate subs as well which was bizarre. Make 3-4 at the one time and introduce a burst of freshness no?

Anyway what do I know, he got them there I suppose.."
Dowd came on at half time for Dessie?

updafaughs (Monaghan) - Posts: 165 - 18/05/2026 11:44:43    2673807

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All in all we have to be proud of getting to the final and fellas trying their best against what has to be said a serious Armagh team. Player for player they are incredible. I think there is some questions around starting McCaul, no Dowd or Wylie and the timing of subs but as the man above said .. what do we know?

veterngaa (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 18/05/2026 11:49:12    2673810

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Agree with all posts above hugely proud of the team but suspected wed have it in us to take them down the stretch and we will never if ward had stayed on would he have been there to kick the two pter to put us ahead as no question armagh were on the ropes for a few mins at least. Few negatives through (1) are we in danger of being this clutch team who only play in moments when game looks gone great quality to have but against a team like armagh takes huge energy to pull a match out of the fire and we were spent in extra time so not a long term method of winning games (2) our defence is still wide open for goals 7 in 3 matches and could been more (3) beggan legend that he is slows the game down when we play better at pace (4) some of the young lads looked out of their depth yesterday starting and coming on really stupid red card as well.
and it was still the old hands who almost got us over the line. These are just quibbles as more positives than negatives but see huge potential in our panel and we should be aiming for a quarter final but will be really tough now as mayo well rested are a strong athletic side who usually travel well in ulster and will expect to beat us. Be massive game to win but we may need a 1b fixture which could be a Derry or armagh repeat (fancy derry to win that) or worse kerry donegal. Nothing easy from here on or breathing space.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1992 - 18/05/2026 11:54:11    2673813

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Disappointed we could have sealed it in normal time thought we tightened up at the back armagh 4th ulster and we could have bet them so there's positivity in that alone can we keep climbing the ladder is the question ?

Farneyblueandwhite (Monaghan) - Posts: 141 - 18/05/2026 12:11:19    2673823

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Replying To updafaughs:  "Dowd came on at half time for Dessie?"
Was McElearney. Dowd didn't get a minute.

Jjoniel79 (Monaghan) - Posts: 273 - 18/05/2026 13:12:08    2673854

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We had it ...just bad luck with Karl Gallacher kickout which was definitely the winning off the game.
Armagh was under massive pressure, especially Blaine Hughes , they were struggling with O hanlon & Mccartney but the lucky goal give them a breathing space to hold on to the ball & run the legs of it.
It definitely was going down to the wire, for a nervous point for point finish.
Looking on from both Donegal games Down derry & Armagh games in the last 12 months our problem is having a big man around the middle when the squeeze is put on Rory kickout.
We definitely have the players, speed the 2pt treath & the heart.
Most games now will be all down to who can win the kickout and gain enough possession we have the players to score 25 pts plus a game, but I dont think young Hantratty is the answer,mccaul has definitely the potential to turn a game on its head.

I think Karl Gallacher is more of 3rd midfield roaming around the middle,mccarville is very good but by 60 mins he is gassed out,Mohan i taught would be straight on in extra time, but the 4 mins he was on, he looked crippled with injuries.
I think if we could get Gavin mcphilips back 6ft 6 it would be massive plus.
Any word how long louis Kelly out for?
Dessie & O Gorman were having great games fingers crossed we have them for Mayo.i6

AlanD (Monaghan) - Posts: 27 - 18/05/2026 13:40:04    2673862

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Who's over your strength and conditioning? Monaghan was a flat in extra time. Wasn't like you went all out in normal time as were flat looking for the opening 50 minutes before producing a strong finish.

Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 841 - 18/05/2026 14:01:39    2673871

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Replying To Jjoniel79:  "Was McElearney. Dowd didn't get a minute."
Dowd never came on atall I taught even Shane Hantratty in extra time lots of legs in him but here it was just bad luck with the goal unfortunately.

AlanD (Monaghan) - Posts: 27 - 18/05/2026 14:30:21    2673891

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Replying To Drax_the_destroyer:  "Who's over your strength and conditioning? Monaghan was a flat in extra time. Wasn't like you went all out in normal time as were flat looking for the opening 50 minutes before producing a strong finish."
Monaghan worked hard throughout which resulted in a tired effort in Extra time. Don't think this is down to certain individuals, coaches etc. Armagh have been building this team for a number of years now.. there was years they ran out of steam and finished games with tired efforts and came out losers on those occasions. It is about building that resilience up and being able to stay going and focused when the body thinks it is done.

Armagh showed in extra time their experience, fitness levels and resilience I think. To say Monaghan didn't go all out is not a fair judgement. They were curtailing one of the best attacking teams in Ireland, they were chasing Turbit, Conaty, Jarly Og, Tiernan Kelly, Murnin, O'Neill, McMullan. Trying to push up on Hughes kickouts which I think we done great on compared to how he destroyed Down with them, Monaghan were trying to win their own kickouts. It was a serious effort by both teams in the first 70 mins given the conditions and Armagh just ran out winners with their stamina and experience in my opinion, they held on to the ball and made Monaghan recklessly chase them in extra time and then they punched holes.

It was a performance to be proud of IMO given the league campaign they have had and the be grudgers on here and on media outlets giving all players/managers/coaches a hard time and running them into the ground. Credit to McGeeney and his players acknowledging the effort by Monaghan.

Time to pick themselves up and go again in 2 weeks and try bring the same energy.

countymonaghan (Monaghan) - Posts: 334 - 18/05/2026 14:52:36    2673903

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Replying To countymonaghan:  "Monaghan worked hard throughout which resulted in a tired effort in Extra time. Don't think this is down to certain individuals, coaches etc. Armagh have been building this team for a number of years now.. there was years they ran out of steam and finished games with tired efforts and came out losers on those occasions. It is about building that resilience up and being able to stay going and focused when the body thinks it is done.

Armagh showed in extra time their experience, fitness levels and resilience I think. To say Monaghan didn't go all out is not a fair judgement. They were curtailing one of the best attacking teams in Ireland, they were chasing Turbit, Conaty, Jarly Og, Tiernan Kelly, Murnin, O'Neill, McMullan. Trying to push up on Hughes kickouts which I think we done great on compared to how he destroyed Down with them, Monaghan were trying to win their own kickouts. It was a serious effort by both teams in the first 70 mins given the conditions and Armagh just ran out winners with their stamina and experience in my opinion, they held on to the ball and made Monaghan recklessly chase them in extra time and then they punched holes.

It was a performance to be proud of IMO given the league campaign they have had and the be grudgers on here and on media outlets giving all players/managers/coaches a hard time and running them into the ground. Credit to McGeeney and his players acknowledging the effort by Monaghan.

Time to pick themselves up and go again in 2 weeks and try bring the same energy."
It was a comfortable 7 point lead for Armagh with 15 minutes to play and as neutral watching it wass a rather dull contest. Credit where it's due for the strong finish whereby it came from doing better on kick outs and getting a spark off the subs brought on and had you brought that last 15 mins effort into extra time it could have gone either way regardless of how much you want to talk up Armagh.

Lets be honest for two weeks you'll need more than the same energy showed over 90 minutes yesterday to beat Mayo.

Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 841 - 18/05/2026 16:34:56    2673940

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Replying To Drax_the_destroyer:  "It was a comfortable 7 point lead for Armagh with 15 minutes to play and as neutral watching it wass a rather dull contest. Credit where it's due for the strong finish whereby it came from doing better on kick outs and getting a spark off the subs brought on and had you brought that last 15 mins effort into extra time it could have gone either way regardless of how much you want to talk up Armagh.

Lets be honest for two weeks you'll need more than the same energy showed over 90 minutes yesterday to beat Mayo."
rob hennelly might not be as confident as yourself

monaghanfootballfan (Monaghan) - Posts: 14 - 18/05/2026 17:44:06    2673974

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Thankfully it didn't end up going to a replay. We can put Ulster to bed now safe in the knowledge that we can put it up to the best of them.

Blackcardnot (USA) - Posts: 105 - 18/05/2026 18:09:31    2673980

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Will many so called gaels be in Corduff Saturday to cheer on Joe and the minors in the tier 3 quarterfinal v Wicklow

farneygael3 (Monaghan) - Posts: 673 - 18/05/2026 19:01:23    2673991

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Our lads did monaghan proud yesterday and think the best way we can thank them is to turn up for the mayo match to often in the past supporters decide to turn there back after an ulster final. encouragement comes from support and the mayo match is our time to shine please support

Farneyblueandwhite (Monaghan) - Posts: 141 - 18/05/2026 19:26:52    2673998

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Replying To Drax_the_destroyer:  "It was a comfortable 7 point lead for Armagh with 15 minutes to play and as neutral watching it wass a rather dull contest. Credit where it's due for the strong finish whereby it came from doing better on kick outs and getting a spark off the subs brought on and had you brought that last 15 mins effort into extra time it could have gone either way regardless of how much you want to talk up Armagh.

Lets be honest for two weeks you'll need more than the same energy showed over 90 minutes yesterday to beat Mayo."
Nice one mate.. I'm sure players and management will read this and take on board your sage wisdom..

Jjoniel79 (Monaghan) - Posts: 273 - 18/05/2026 20:03:59    2674003

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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.

supermon (Monaghan) - Posts: 1097 - 18/05/2026 20:56:32    2674014

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Best analysis heard today was Stefan Campbell and cahir o kane on irish news podcast. Gave monaghan their dues and some interesting observations on tactics and performances. Huge praise for o hanlon Mccarthy and lavelle mccarron. Team looks completely different with Mccarthy and lavelle back vital they stay fit . Mccaul at his age like maguire are impact subs not starters. Be great to get Mohan back fit but to be fair looked a long way off fitness when he came on yesterday ..

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1992 - 18/05/2026 21:30:42    2674019

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