Byrne enjoying the Monaghan journey


By Shaun Casey “Very few defenders burst onto the scene” was Roy Keane’s joke with a jag on Micah Richards a few years ago, but the former Manchester United captain’s words probably have some truth to them. For Dylan Byrne however, he can argue that he has “burst onto the scene”. The Magheracloone clubman was […]


Monaghan’s Killian Lavelle primed for next knock-out battle


By Shaun Casey WITH repeat pairings avoided during the All-Ireland series, Monaghan knew it was going to be Westmeath or Ulster rivals Donegal up next – but full-back Killian Lavelle says they’re all tough opponents at this stage of the championship. Monaghan had already faced off against Armagh and Mayo – in the Ulster Championship final and the […]


Monaghan will hold no fear of familiar foe


By Shaun Casey THE stakes couldn’t be higher for Monaghan and Roscommon as this is the final weekend of the season for one of them. Whoever loses on Saturday afternoon will be packing their bags and waving goodbye to 2026. Both sides lost by the minimum of margins in the opening round of the All-Ireland […]


Bannigan rues Monaghan’s flat first half


By Shaun Casey MONAGHAN were 11-points adrift at half time of Sunday’s All-Ireland series opener against Mayo, and while they showed their gutsy never-say-die attitude to cut the deficit back to one-point, manager Gabriel Bannigan ended up rueing their first half showing. The Farney men opted to play against the wind having won the toss […]


Team news: Monaghan name squad for visit of Mayo


Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan has named his squad ahead of this weekend’s visit of Mayo. They are without the suspended Daragh McElearney and have made one change from their starting team. Cameron Dowd comes in with Bobby McCaul dropping to the bench. Dessie Ward is listed despite being forced off during the Ulster final. Advertisement […]


Gabriel Bannigan on the silver lining to Monaghan’s league woes


By Niall Gartland THE clouds have lifted after a difficult league campaign and Monaghan are all set for Sunday’s Ulster Senior Championship showdown against Armagh at Clones. Gabriel Bannigan, now in his second year in charge, acknowledged that their ill-fated Division One campaign was difficult for all the protagonists involved, but the silver lining was […]


Bannigan hoping for a blue ribbon day


‘ALL the best in the final lads…’ Micheál Bannigan really didn’t think he’d be involved in Sunday’s Ulster final against Armagh. When the hooter sounded at the end of a tumultuous semi-final clash against Derry, it looked like Monaghan’s wait for a 17th provincial title would extend for at least another year. That’s not how […]


Preview: Derry and Monaghan bid to open up the summer


Ulster SFC semi-final Derry v Monaghan Saturday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 5pm Live on GAA+ By Michael McMullan FORMER Derry manager John Brennan had a phrase he’d roll out from time to time – the league is for playing in. As a multi-championship winning manager in different counties, he’d tell players to book any holidays before […]