CHAMPIONSHIP COUNTDOWN

COLM SHALVEY

Monaghan Harps hosted a star-studded Ulster championship preview night in the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan Town last Saturday. A host of high-profile pundits joined Monaghan’s Shane Hannon (Off the Ball, Newstalk) both to reminisce on GAA memories and most importantly to look ahead to the inter-county championship season, which gets underway this weekend.

The first panel consisted of former Monaghan and Fermanagh manager Malachy O’Rourke; Dick Clerkin, who won two Ulster titles during Malachy’s time with Monaghan; Roslea and Fermanagh legend Peter McGinnity; Crossmaglen and Armagh stalwart Aaron Kernan; and ex-Derry forward Conleith Gilligan, who coached Kilcoo to All-Ireland club success earlier this year. Legendary former Meath manager Seán Boylan was part of the second panel on the night, alongside another multiple All-Ireland winner…