MONAGHAN UP FOR THE CUP

COLM SHALVEY

Monaghan got their hands on the first silverware of the year at Healy Park last Saturday, but it wouldn’t have taken long after the McKenna Cup presentation for attentions to turn to another trip to Omagh to take on All-Ireland champions Tyrone in the first round of the Allianz NFL this Sunday.

JEKYLL AND HYDE

Monaghan looked like a doubledigits victory wasn’t beyond them when they led by 1-10 to 0-4 early in the second half, but they were left clinging on for a one-point win in the end after a Michael Murphy-inspired comeback by Donegal. Incomplete performances have been a theme for Monaghan for some time, along with letting teams back into games, although this one came with the proviso that the barrage of substitutions in the McKenna Cup made it more likely for momentum to change. Donegal’s late rally meant an eighth draw in 14 competitive games looked a distinct possibility for Monaghan, but they held on to take winning momentum into the league.

CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

Monaghan took on a more expansive style last year – most evident in the league game against Donegal and the Ulster semi-final shoot-out against Armagh – but that obviously came at a cost in terms of defensive solidity. The early evidence suggests a tilt towards a more …..