MONAGHAN v TYRONE...Ulster final...

oneillMan999

Well its almost upon us and Monaghan are only 70 mins away from their 1st Ulster title in over 20 years!!

Im very confident Monaghan will win this and as great as an Ulster championship would be for the county, ive a feeling this team has bigger things on their mind this year. :eek:

Hammer Archer

Am I right in saying Monaghan have never won Ulster? Think it's the least that a lot of these players deserve. It wasn't that long ago that Monaghan were one of the whipping boys in Ulster. Now a lot of their players are household names. Hopefully they do it but it should be a great game.

Gingy

I know it's been a while, but Monaghan have won 13 Ulster titles, although only 3 of them in the last 70 years.

It should be a good game on Sunday and I hope Monaghan can sneak it, this group of players deserve an Ulster title and the Monaghan supporters deserve it for their loyal support over the last 20 barren years.

Hammer Archer

Gingy wrote: »

I know it's been a while, but Monaghan have won 13 Ulster titles, although only 3 of them in the last 70 years.

It should be a good game on Sunday and I hope Monaghan can sneak it, this group of players deserve an Ulster title and the Monaghan supporters deserve it for their loyal support over the last 20 barren years.

Yep sorry it's Fermanagh I was thinking of who've never won it. I think Ulster as a whole needs a Monaghan win on Sunday. For all the talk about Ulster being the strongest province, it's been 12 years since a name other than Tyrone or Armagh has been on the Anglo-Celt Cup.

dartbhoy

I'm sure Monaghan won their last Ulster title in 1988.

massdebater

Yep 1988 is right. I was only two then so I don't remember it!

Hopefully we can do it on Sunday, I have Monday booked off work regardless.

I was out in a few pubs in Coalisland (Co. Tyrone) last Friday night and most of the locals were of the idea that this is Monaghan's year and they have thought so from before the championship started. It's not often that Tyrone are genuinely scared of meeting any team but I was getting the idea that they're concerned this time round.

One thing for sure is that were much better equipped this time round (compared to the last Ulster final we got to a few years ago).

Hopefully we can do it on Sunday anyway!

flahavaj

I think Monaghan, while no doubt a very very good team, are getting built up a little too much. I'm going with the cuteness of Tyrone to take this one. You can't bayte experience as the man says.

dartbhoy

flahavaj wrote: »

I think Monaghan, while no doubt a very very good team, are getting built up a little too much. I'm going with the cuteness of Tyrone to take this one. You can't bayte experience as the man says.

Your right there flahavaj,Tyrone have all the experience to stand to them but i think it's Monaghan's turn to bring the Anglo Celt cup back to the Farney county. I backed them @ 11/2 at the start of the championship to win Ulster and even though i've been advised to cover my bet and pump on Tyrone i'm confident enough to believe Monaghan will win on Sunday.

doncarlos

Best of luck Monaghan! At least you won't have a Tyrone referee...:D

Saint Sonner

massdebater wrote: »

It's not often that Tyrone are genuinely scared of meeting any team but I was getting the idea that they're concerned this time round.

Wouldn't think Tyrone would be scared now. I think its more a case of monaghan are more capable of challenging Tyrone this time round compared to other outings.
Monaghan prob do deserve an anglo celt due to recent effort but I doubt if the Tyrone squad would have much sympathy for their plight!

massdebater

Saint Sonner wrote: »

Wouldn't think Tyrone would be scared now.

okay maybe a bit of an exaggeration but you would be surprised with the amount of tyrone fans who were writing off their chances. i think maybe they were being over pessimistic and perhaps trying to put a bit of pressure on us by saying they're "expecting" us to win but that's what the barstoolers in tyrone were saying!

Saint Sonner

massdebater wrote: »

okay maybe a bit of an exaggeration but you would be surprised with the amount of tyrone fans who were writing off their chances. i think maybe they were being over pessimistic and perhaps trying to put a bit of pressure on us by saying they're "expecting" us to win but that's what the barstoolers in tyrone were saying!

Your possibly right - they like their trash talk around the 'island' anyway! lol

megadodge

Have to say I like Monaghan's chances in this one.

Not saying they're certs or anything, but the way they're going about things this year, they just seem to be more organised, more disciplined and more confident than of old.
Plus they also seem to have more of a scoring threat now than simply Freeman and Finlay (on his good days).

Should be very tight.

Coogee

Tyrone to win imo

Warper

Tyrone to just shade it in what should be a very good match.

oneillMan999

doncarlos wrote: »

Best of luck Monaghan! At least you won't have a Tyrone referee...:D

LOL yea thats a bonus!

Actually Monaghan are at a slight disadvantage in general as regards referees with the best ref in the country FROM monaghan!

GAAman

I would love to see monaghan do this but i cant see it happening, it might be a tight game up until near the end with tyrone pullin away with a few scores

Cormac2791

I'll have the rosary beads out on Saturday night and Sunday morning praying for a Monaghan win.

FARNEY ARMY!!!

monaghanmissus

cormacharraghy wrote: »

I'll have the rosary beads out on Saturday night and Sunday morning praying for a Monaghan win.

FARNEY ARMY!!!

I'm with ya on that one Cormac!

shezza

lets hope we get an 1988 repeat I was only 6 after all...

oneillMan999

GAAman wrote: »

I would love to see monaghan do this but i cant see it happening, it might be a tight game up until near the end with tyrone pullin away with a few scores

Well, Tyrone i think rely a little too much on their senior players and if its close down the stretch, monaghan shud be too strong for some of the old age pensioners they have on their team

Magi11

shezza wrote: »

lets hope we get an 1988 repeat I was only 6 after all...

I'm afraid I was 20 in 1988. Monaghan beat Tyrone 1-10 v 0-11 and all our scores were from play! Given that the goalkeeping fiasco is now over, it's now common knowledge that lasts years goalie Padraig McBennett who quit the panel this year, will be in goal on Sunday. This is another of Banty's stunts. Although all it's really doing, is to fix the last stunt he pulled. Hopefully this is the end of this rubbish. In 2007 we broke our agreement to wear blue to Tyrones red in the final as we both wear White. This resulted in a €5,000 fine and a pissed off Tyrone scoring 1-4 of their 1-15 total in the first 9 mins. Given all that, I think our forwards have the beating of these Tyrone backs, I think Mickey Harte has picked the wrong team.

Pighead

Magi11 wrote: »

Given that the goalkeeping fiasco is now over, it's now common knowledge that lasts years goalie Padraig McBennett who quit the panel this year, will be in goal on Sunday. This is another of Banty's stunts.

You sure about this? First I've heard of it. I'd be very surprised if this is true.

Magi11

Fairly sure. Hughes is definitely not playing in goal and Duffy will be out for at least another month.

Magi11

oneillMan999 wrote: »

LOL yea thats a bonus!

Actually Monaghan are at a slight disadvantage in general as regards referees with the best ref in the country FROM monaghan!

Pat is only the best ref when there are cameras. A very poor ref when dealing with Club matches in Monaghan

Pighead

Magi11 wrote: »

Fairly sure. Hughes is definitely not playing in goal and Duffy will be out for at least another month.

How do you know Hughes ìs definitely not in goal? Is this just your opinion? Why would Banty not keep him in goal after he was so impressive against Armagh.

Magi11

McBennett has been playing in goals in training (naturally). Hughes is playing outfield. Also I think we need to put to bed the notion that Darren played well against Armagh. He did what he had to do, including making a save that my Dad would have made, that was reported on like it was the save of the year. But his performance was only commeted on because he isn't a goalie but if thats where hes playing that has to be the standard to which he is held. So against Armagh he was average (in his defence he didn't get the chance to play any better) however against Fermanagh he was poor. He was coming off his line far too much and frankly was playing like a full back playing goals. Goalkeeping is the only position where you can't get by with trying hard. Its an art form. I played my entire "career" in goal and was in my mid 20's before I really felt I understood it. Thank God that Banty came to his senses and swallowed his considerable pride. Although his treatment of Sean Gorman was beyond disgraceful. Also Darren was our best player in the league and to play him in goals would be stupid because you would be missing him out the field and you still run the risk that he would mess up in nets. Assuming McBennett doesn't make any Derry 2009 mistakes, I think we've got a great chance.

Pighead

Magi11 wrote: »

Also I think we need to put to bed the notion that Darren played well against Armagh. He did what he had to do, including making a save that my Dad would have made, that was reported on like it was the save of the year. But his performance was only commeted on because he isn't a goalie but if thats where hes playing that has to be the standard to which he is held. So against Armagh he was average (in his defence he didn't get the chance to play any better) however against Fermanagh he was poor. He was coming off his line far too much and frankly was playing like a full back playing goals. Goalkeeping is the only position where you can't get by with trying hard. Its an art form. I played my entire "career" in goal and was in my mid 20's before I really felt I understood it. Thank God that Banty came to his senses and swallowed his considerable pride. Although his treatment of Sean Gorman was beyond disgraceful. Also Darren was our best player in the league and to play him in goals would be stupid because you would be missing him out the field and you still run the risk that he would mess up in nets. Assuming McBennett doesn't make any Derry 2009 mistakes, I think we've got a great chance.

Strongly disagree with this. Hughes had a very good game against Armagh. Armagh were pumping high balls in all day long and Hughes dealt with every single one of them faultlessly. I counted six occasions he came for awkward high balls and punched it away managing to find his own player on each and every occasion. This is quite rare not just for GAA goalkeepers but goalkeepers in general. Most of them will come out, punch it and not really have any control on where the ball lands. Hughes found his man each and every time. Against Fermanagh he was solid again until the last ten minutes when the game was already well won and the players were already thinking about the final.

If Hughes has been moved outfield I can only guess that there must be an injury in Monaghans defence. Heard rumours on Wednesday that Corey damaged ligaments so maybe they were true. If Corey and teh rest of the back line are fit, I expect to see Hughes in goal.

Pighead

On the game itself it's a very tough one to call. I've been championing Monaghan for a couple of years now and personally I think this is their time. They are without question one of the fittest teams in the country and tellingly they've reached the point where they also have one of the strongest panels in the country.

Anyone who has watched Monaghans games this year will notice how ruthless the Banty and Grimley are in taking off players who are on a yellow or who aren't performing. They can do this because of a strong bench. The fact that Rory Woods (one of the best players in the country imo) will start on the bench tomorrow speaks volumes. A fresh Woods coming off the bench is a great weapon to have after half an hour or so when the Tyrone boys are starting to puff a bit.

McManus has really matured this year and is a very reliable forward and the same can be said of Hanratty who has lost the headless chicken syndrome he had in 07/08. Finlay is having a great season and his accuracy from the dead ball could well prove crucial in what will be a tight game. We seen last week how crucial a reliable free taker can be in games at this level. Brian White normally so good let the nerves get to him and miss three frees he'd usually put over in his sleep which ultimately (dodgy referreing decisions aside!) cost Louth against Meath.

Dick Clerkin is having the season of his life and is being talked about as a possible all star in some quarters! He's even scoring points these days which was unheard of before the Armagh game!

All in all this will undoubtedly be fast frantic, tough and very tight but when all is said and done I really think this Monaghan team are ready to emulate the great teams of 88 and 85. The fact they're playing at Clones and that they've already beaten Tyrone in the league this year are two small plusses also. Anyway looking forward to it and hopefully unlike last week we'll be talking about the players rather than the ref come Sunday evening.

Magi11

Pighead wrote: »

Strongly disagree with this. Hughes had a very good game against Armagh. Armagh were pumping high balls in all day long and Hughes dealt with every single one of them faultlessly. I counted six occasions he came for awkward high balls and punched it away managing to find his own player on each and every occasion. This is quite rare not just for GAA goalkeepers but goalkeepers in general. Most of them will come out, punch it and not really have any control on where the ball lands. Hughes found his man each and every time. Against Fermanagh he was solid again until the last ten minutes when the game was already well won and the players were already thinking about the final.

If Hughes has been moved outfield I can only guess that there must be an injury in Monaghans defence. Heard rumours on Wednesday that Corey damaged ligaments so maybe they were true. If Corey and teh rest of the back line are fit, I expect to see Hughes in goal.

Well you're entitled to your opinion about Hughes. In fact most people would agree with you, however, those who disagree are mostly goalkeepers which kind of sums it up. Hughes won't be in goal, also to claim that he found his man on every punched ball is giving him way to much credit. That was pure luck. If you have time to look up and pick out a man while punching, then you should be catching the ball. Also Armagh don't play a high ball into their full forward line because they don't have the height. They play a long ball in but that's a different thing altogether. If you counted Hughes catching or clearing 6 balls, you took the real number and doubled it!! Lastly, I'm not blaming Darren for the goals against Fermanagh, the whole team had switched off. But he (and you don't really see it on TV) was tempted out of his area for balls that were never his because he doesn't have a goalkeepers judgement.

Magi11

Ya know, ya gotta love the week of a Provincial Final. The rumours are brilliant! In the space of one hour I heard that Shane Duffy's injury was so bad that he would never play football again to Shane Duffy wasn't injured at all and had a huge row with Banty and had quit the squad!! Also Paul Finlay has a fear of rectangles!
Ok I made the last one up!!!!

tatoo

Monaghan have played the better football in the Championship so far ,
but my suspicion is that Tyrone will find enough to thwart them.

VampiricPadraig

Come on Monaghan

*blows his vuvuzela*

jethro081

I cant wait here, im absolutely shaking with the excitement.

i think we can win it but itll not be easy

come on monaghan.

flahavaj

jethro081 wrote: »

I cant wait here, im absolutely shaking with the excitement.

i think we can win it but itll not be easy

come on monaghan.

This is why I love the GAA, the feeling you get on the morning of a big match, especially when you've been starved of success.

The head says Tyrone but the heart says Monaghan.

dartbhoy

UP MONAGHAN!

Diabhal Beag

Can't wait to see no.1 Darren Hughes

cruiserweight

Keeper looks to be in trouble, No 1 might have to go back into goals

flahavaj

Monaghan keeper injured, I wonder who'll come on LOL.

soccymonster

cruiserweight wrote: »

Keeper looks to be in trouble, No 1 might have to go back into goals

Doesn't look it anyways :P From the replay of the kick out anyways, ouch!

cruiserweight

McConnell has made two good saves, Monaghan will be disappointed to not score at least one of those

Het-Field

Third ****e game of the weekend.

Monaghan were incredibly poor. Three points from play is nothing short of pathetic. One would have to question how fearful the likes of Down Kildare, and Dublin would need to be if they met in the 4th round.

quad_red

God, that was dire. Monaghan were appalling. Tyrone showed flashes of real skill and at least had a game plan.

The atmosphere (from a neutral point of view) after the match was non existent. It was such an anti climax, such a non event, even Tyrone supporters didn't seem overly excited.

Cormac2791

flahavaj wrote: »

Monaghan keeper injured, I wonder who'll come on LOL.

Mc bennet was there

oneillMan999

well that was a sorry excuse for a performance by Monaghan.

the panelists were swooning over how good Tyrone was and what a fantastic team they are, but the fact is, any team in the country wudda beat Monaghan today and Tyrone were in fact there for the taking!!

If i was a Tyrone fan, i wudnt be gettin too excited about winnin an all ireland this year.

Im pretty sure Monaghan will pick themselves up for the Kildare game and put on a good show for the fans because it was the FANS they let down today more than anything..

Dont count the Farney Army out yet!!

mono_mac

we are still in it- come on monaghan-yesterday was not the real monaghan- teams have bad days- unfortunately yesterday was a bad day for one- monaghan for sam

malraff

i liked how Michael Lyster put it, tyrone are simply in a different league to the monaghans of this world, and really you cant expect them to compete.

im the first to admit tyrone are not as good as we once where but our ability to completely nullify a team is out of this world, we obviously had the game won in the first 15 mins, and monaghan were made look as average as antrim and down before them despite there unrealistic high hopes of beating us,

sorry to say monaghan, but this team will never win anything

mono_mac

i think your wrong

malraff

dont get me wrong, id like to see a team like monaghan who try and often do play decent football win something, but there's such a difference in class between Cork kerry and tyrone than the rest of ireland at the moment.

fair enough if they can hang on for a few years, and tyrones old heads are gone, but tyrones youth is hardly poor either"

mono_mac

More to come from monaghan this year yet

Magi11

malraff wrote: »

i liked how Michael Lyster put it, tyrone are simply in a different league to the monaghans of this world, and really you cant expect them to compete.

im the first to admit tyrone are not as good as we once where but our ability to completely nullify a team is out of this world, we obviously had the game won in the first 15 mins, and monaghan were made look as average as antrim and down before them despite there unrealistic high hopes of beating us,

sorry to say monaghan, but this team will never win anything

Sadly I have to agree. Mickey Harte has lost one final with this Tyrone team, the ulster final of 2005. Tyrone had 3 weeks to look at Monaghan and came up with the perfect plan. The only way the likes of Monaghan is going to beat Tyrone in an ulster championship match is to catch them on the hop in the first round like Down did in 2008.
I thought the Tyrone backs were first class with Cathal McCarron, Gormley and the 2 McMahons absolutely outstanding. Also nice to see Pakey McConnell getting applauded off at half time.