By Shaun Casey NOTHING beats being there and Scotstown manager David McCague is glad that his team is back competing in the Ulster Club Championship, which he hails as “the best competition in Gaelic football” ahead of their meeting with Naomh Conaill. McCague’s men recently retained their county title to represent Monaghan in the provincial […]
McCague: Fresh faces key to Scotstown’s success
By Shaun Casey THE addition of fresh talent into the Scotstown changing room has only added to the champions arsenal and that youngers were key to another successful championship campaign, says manager David McCague. Tommy Mallen gave a man of the match display and top scored for Scotstown as they claimed their 10th county title […]
McArdle sets sights on semi place
By Shaun Casey THREE teams are vying for the one qualification spot and a direct step into the Monaghan SFC semi-finals by topping Group One and Scotstown captain Damien McArdle hopes his side are the team to land that prize. Scotstown are currently top of the pile on score difference but take on Corduff this […]
Half a lifetime: The story of Darren Hughes
Darren Hughes has called time on his Monaghan career after two decades and over 200 senior appearances. He’ll go down as one of the county’s all-time greats. He spoke with Michael McMullan THE Croke Park dressing room and the days afterwards is no window for rash decisions. With June’s defeat to Donegal still in the […]
‘They don’t make them like this man anymore’
By Shaun Casey AFTER 19 years in the blue and white of Monaghan, Darren Hughes has hung up the boots and he will go down as one of the Monaghan greats, says his younger brother Kieran, who soldiered with him at club and county level. The pair helped the Farney County end a 25 year […]
Farney eye Rossie rematch
NFL DIVISION TWO FINAL Monaghan v Roscommon Saturday, Croke Park, 7.15pm By Michael McMullan THERE is little surprise Monaghan and Roscommon are locking horns on Saturday. Both were relegated from the top flight last year. And both have quality. When the Monaghan bus pulled out of the Hyde after their defeat to the Rossies earlier […]
Darren Hughes: A footballing warrior
Darren Hughes recently turned 38 and has played over 200 games for Monaghan. Niall McKenna remembers coaching him with Scotstown. Martin McElkennon looks back on is impact on Monaghan. They spoke with Michael McMullan… FRANCIE and Patricia Hughes live at the far end of the parish. Too far to cycle or walk to Scotstown pitch. […]
Feature: Is age only a number?
Mattie Donnelly has committed to Tyrone for another season. Paul Conroy is the current Player of the Year. Both are closer to the end than the beginning of their careers. Michael McMullan spoke with Tyrone physiotherapist Marty Loughran to dig into players’ longevity. IT’S deep December 2023 in Garvaghey. Two cars remain in the car […]
PROVINCIAL PRIDE
With the interprovincial football series making a return at the weekend, Niall McCoy has a look at the recent roll of honour with one province enjoying plenty of success 2024 – Ulster AFTER an eight-year hiatus, the competition returned to test the new FRC rules and produced a good weekend’s entertainment, especially the final between […]
Stalwarts deserve time to mull over future says Bannigan
By Niall Gartland NEW Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan is hoping that some of the county’s living legends will decide to stay on board for 2025, but understands that it’s their own decision to make. Conor McManus, Darren Hughes and Karl O’Connell are all in the twilight of their playing careers and have yet to confirm […]









