Surviving the shark-infested waters of top-flight football is Monaghan’s pressing priority, writes Shaun Casey

SAFETY will be the name of the game for Monaghan, and the height of their early season ambitions will be to hold on tightly to the Division One status. They fought so hard last season to get back up playing top tier football, they’ll not want to lose that without a fight.

Having enjoyed a decade dining at the top table, Monaghan spent last season in Division Two but bounced back emphatically at the first time of asking to restore their place among the best teams in the country.

Now it’s all about staying there and their first game out against Armagh will be circled as the most important of the year. Whoever comes out on top of that local derby clash will take one huge step towards safety and ease some of the early relegation fears.

The first two games as absolutely massive for Monaghan. After hosting their neighbours from the Orchard County, they then head west to meet Roscommon, the team they gained promotion alongside 12 months ago.

The opener at Clones is one of four home fixtures Monaghan will enjoy and they start their campaign in the comfort of St Tiernach’s Park. That should give them a boost heading into the competition.

After their journey to Dr Hyde Park, Monaghan are on the road again in round three and they face Dublin at Croke Park, a place they also enjoyed good success against the Dubs, particularly in the league.

It’s back to Clones for round four and Monaghan will welcome a familiar face back to the home of Ulster football. Andy Moran spent the last 12 months trying to aid their return to the top-flight, but now, returning as Mayo manager, he’ll be plotting their downfall.

Monaghan take on All-Ireland champions Kerry in Killarney in round five before hosting both Galway and last year’s Ulster champions and All-Ireland finalists Donegal in the final two rounds, at Inniskeen and Clones respectively.

Monaghan shared two titanic championship tussles with Jim McGuinness’ green and gold army in 2025, one in Ulster and one in the All-Ireland quarter-final. On both occasions, it was Donegal who came out on top.

There will be a new look to the Monaghan squad, certainly for the first part of the National League. Gabriel Bannigan is likely to give the Scotstown players an extended break before they return to the county setup, following their extended club campaign.

Their season came to a close last Sunday afternoon, but it’s been a long stint for them. That means it’s unlikely we’ll see Rory Beggan, Ryan O’Toole, Conor McCarthy, Mícheál McCarville, Gavin McPhillips or Jack McCarron in a Monaghan jersey any time soon.

Monaghan will also be without the retired Darren Hughes, Karl O’Connell and Kieran Duffy and replacing those figureheads in the changing room will be no easy task, especially in the unforgiving hunting ground that is Division One.

The likes of Ryan Wylie and Ryan McAnespie, two experienced heads, are currently sidelined while Bobbie McCaul, Killian Lavelle and Michael Hamill are all on the long-term injury list too.

Karl Gallagher has returned to the fold having last featured for the Farney County in the 2023 All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin. He joined up with AFL side Adelaide Crows as a Category B rookie in January of 2024 but is back now competing for a Monaghan jersey.

There has been a whole host of fresh faces called into the county squad as Bannigan hopes to find a hidden gem that could perhaps break into the first team, like Magheracloone clubman Dylan Byrne did last season.

Castleblayney’s dual star Thomas Hughes has experienced minor and u-20 football for Monaghan and is well worthy of a senior call up, as is last year’s u-20 captain Packie Doogan-Burke of Magheracloone.

David Garland impressed in their recent McKenna Cup opener against old foes Cavan, top-scoring on the night with 0-4 to his name as they claimed a 0-16 to 0-13 victory.

Tyholland rookie Darragh Treanor also impressed at full-back as he held Cavan dangerman Paddy Lynch scoreless from open play while the aforementioned Gallagher earned the player of the match award for his display.

Despite missing so many key men, Monaghan still have a fairly strong squad to call upon and should be able to give Division One a real rattle, especially during the early rounds when teams are still finding their feet.

Stephen Mooney is one of the best young forwards in the country and has shown glimpses of what he can do at the top level. Andrew Woods excelled under the new rules last season and will hope his form goes from strength to strength.

The likes of captain Míchéal Bannigan and Stephen O’Hanlon have developed into real leaders in the pack and are now two of the go-to men in the Monaghan forward line while the versatile Gary Mohan will hope to have put an injury-ravaged year behind him.

Monaghan have also mixed up their management team slightly, with former Meath and Antrim manager Andy McEntee being added to the fold, to replace the outgoing Moran.

It’s exciting times for Monaghan, especially if they can get their league campaign off to a good start. They have big gaps to fill in their squad, but Bannigan has looked high and low for the next batch of talent to lead the line for Monaghan.

NFL target

IT’S fairly simple for Monaghan. As long as they finish outside of the bottom two come the end of the league, then they’ve had a good campaign. Gabriel Bannigan’s side will have eyes on one thing and one thing only and that’s avoiding relegation.

SFC Target

A DERBY battle with Cavan awaits for Monaghan, who are on the ‘better’ side of the draw, avoiding Armagh, Tyrone and Donegal. A win over Cavan will see them in the semis and Monaghan will be targeting a title at getting their hands back on the Anglo Celt Cup.