By Shaun Casey

MONAGHAN’S destiny has already been decided, so their clash with Ulster foes Donegal on Sunday afternoon is a dead rubber for them, outside of trying to get one of Jim McGuinness’ charges.

The Tir Chonaill men defeated Monaghan twice during last year’s championship, knocking them out of both the Ulster and All-Ireland series.

Gabriel Bannigan’s men were in pole position to reach the last four in the race for Sam Maguire last summer, but a stunning second half display from the Ulster champions saw them run out six-point winners in the end.

From the 15 that started last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final, 9 were in for the throw in against Galway last weekend. Jack McCarron, Louis Kelly and David Garland all came on last year and started against the Tribesmen.

Monaghan have been operating without the services of the recently retired Kieran Duffy, Darren Hughes and Karl O’Connell while star men Ryan McAnespie and Conor McCarthy are currently out injured, as is Dylan Byrne.

Darragh McElearney has made the full back spot his own while the likes of Oisin O’Gorman, Cameron Dowd and Karl Gallagher, who landed back from down under this season, have saw plenty of game time.

It’s difficult for Monaghan to take any positives from the league campaign have suffered six defeats on the bounce, but there’s nothing like a good old fashioned provincial match up to get the juices flowing.

The Ulster Championship is just around the corner of course, with Cavan awaiting the Farney County in the opening round, so preparations for that particular contest will have already begun.

Donegal are coming to Clones looking a victory and they will be a wounded animal having lost their unbeaten streak with Roscommon earning a hard-fought two-point triumph at King & Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park last Sunday afternoon.

They remain at the top of the Division One league table and despite Jim McGuinness’ reservations of reaching a league final, Donegal are in pole position to do just that, even if they leave St Tiernach’s Park empty handed.

They have blooded in plenty of new talent in the mould of Conor McCahill and Shea Malone while reigning Young Footballer of the Year Finnbarr Roarty has really gone from strength to strength in the green and gold jersey.

It’s hard to see Monaghan getting anything out of this game in terms of points but it’s ideal preparation for the championship and they’ll hope to pick up some form of confidence before then.