MONAGHAN AIM TO LAND A SEMI SPOT

Colm Shalvey reports

Forewarned should be forearmed for Monaghan as they launch their Ulster SFC campaign with a quarter-final against Down in Clones on Saturday. All form guides point to a comfortable win for Monaghan, but if they weren’t already wary of a potential ambush from Down, the last few weeks should focus the mind further.

Following a turbulent few weeks where a breach of discipline by players at a training camp meant that James McCartan had to be persuaded to stay in position in his second term as manager, Down will be under pressure to produce an overdue response. The Mourne County have a long habit of producing when little is expected of them, as Monaghan will be all too aware from painful Ulster semi-final losses in 2012 and 2017.

First-round championship defeats for Monaghan’s U-20 and minor teams against opponents who they had already beaten offer further reminders that Séamus McEnaney’s side can’t afford to lose their focus. McCartan, who won two All-Irelands as a player before leading them to a surprise appearance in the 2010 final…