By Niall McCoy

MONAGHAN goalkeeper Edel Corrigan has said that the squad feel that it’s time to bring their transition phase to an end.

Between 2008 and 2016 the Oriel county won six Ulster titles and also reached three All-Ireland finals in that period – losing them all to Cork. In more recent times though, the main aim has been to introduce younger players as the spine of that successful team drifted away.

The Scotstown shot-stopper feels that the time is right to re-establish the county as a force in Ulster.

“The aim is not just compete, it’s to drive on and win these games,” she said.

“Looking back to last year, the big games we lost to Galway (All-Ireland group stages) and Armagh (Ulster final), we lost by a kick of the ball.

“For us, we want to win those big games, we want to win silverware. We’ll feel that every game is there for us to win.

“Monaghan have been in transition recently and it was great just to compete, but the drive now is to win. We don’t to want to make the scoreline look good in these games anymore, we want to win them.”

Monaghan’s competitive season starts on May 23 with a home National League derby match against Cavan. Corrigan said that even having a date to focus on was a massive boon for all in Ciaran Murphy’s squad.

“We have something to work towards now that we have our dates for the league,” said Corrigan. “We have our All-Ireland dates now as well. There’s the buzz now in the camp because of it.

“We’re back training together now and the Cavan game is getting closer, so there is the excitement there.”

Once again, team manager Murphy has brought a few younger players into the Monaghan squad – while it’s one notable face out and another in.

“Unfortunately Therese McNally has decided to retire,” Corrigan said. “We have gained a lot of youth and then we have an experienced head back in there with Amanda Casey coming back in. That’s a great boost.

“There’s a good balance there. A lot of the younger players are very talented while we have kept the same spine from last year.”