Finlay: New Monaghan boss will target a Division One return

By Michael McMullan

FORMER Monaghan star Paul Finlay was surprised to see Vinny Corey step down as Farney manager and feels new boss will be targeting promotion.

Finlay and Corey made their championship debut on the same day, Monaghan’s 2003 win over reigning All-Ireland champions Armagh. The Ballybay man feels that the county owns Corey nothing.

“I think everybody in Monaghan were a bit taken back,” Finlay said Corey’s decision.

“He’s just been a constant for 20 odd years and has been there right up to the end of Malachy O’Rourke’s time.

“He joined the management team with ‘Banty’ (Seamus McEneaney) and then took it all in himself.

“He literally hasn’t had a break in all of those years. So, if anybody deserves a wee break from it, it is Vinny.”

Traditionally, Monaghan don’t ask their clubs for nominations. Without knowing who is involved, Finley is aware the senior players will be the loop along with a management committee to source Corey’s replacement.

Aside from “lazy journalism” and names being floated around such as John McEntee and Owen Lennon, Finlay isn’t aware who is in line to take the hotseat but stresses how bouncing back from relegation will be high on their list of goals.

“Promotion would be brilliant,” he said, “I think you have to set your sights on promotion.

“Anything less is a little bit defeatist and you’re starting off on the wrong foot.

“I think whoever does get the role, that will be their first target. It’s a competitive environment in Division Two, so there’s nothing guaranteed, but I think that’s what the first goal would be.

“The first target would be for Monaghan to try and get themselves back into Division One and get playing to a level. Then they can really give the championship a run”.

Two years ago, in Corey’s first season, Monaghan pushed eventual champions Dublin all the way in the semi-final.

The 2024 season didn’t follow the same trend with the width of the crossbar the difference between Monaghan advancing beyond Galway in the championship in Salthill.

“They chasing their tail a little bit,” Finlay said of their difficult season that turned the corner somewhat before coming to end.

“You just felt that with that year passed that if had more luck on the injury front and things would turn around.

“Vinny just made a call based on his own gut and his own feeling of where the group’s at.”

Below the senior team, Dermot Malone guided the minors to an All-Ireland final and Finlay also praised the work of games manager Paul O’Connor and the coaches involved.

It’s about keeping players coming out of underage with the tools to push into the senior squad.

“You’re seeing school football in Monaghan is fairly strong,” he summed up. “You’re seeing these young fellas getting in and getting a feel for how they should be preparing themselves and what’s required as time goes on.

“We’ve been somewhat successful staying in Division One and a couple of Ulster (senior) title out of it.

“It’s not the finished product. You’d like to be winning more and competing for an All-Ireland.

“There’s still lots of work needed and it’s an ongoing process but definitely the structures would be solid. You’re just looking to keep improving on that and keeping lads moving forward because you’d love to be winning more.”