Farney back on title trail

Monaghan hurlers’ new manager hopes to put their national league final debacle behind them in time for the Nicky Rackard Cup.

Morgan Lawlor stepped into the role after Mattie Lennon walked out because his county board fixed three intermediate club games on the week of their Division 3A final.

Due to their football commitments only six players were able to attend the county’s final training session before the final. Lennon, backed by the players, withdrew from the final which was never played.

Now Lawlor has inherited the team and has to concentrate the minds ahead of today’s Rackard Cup opener against Donegal at Clones.

“I have taken over Monaghan for the duration of the Nicky Rackard Cup. They were having a good season and got to a National League final. It’s not for me to say what happened or what should have happened there. It’s unfortunate one way or the other,” Lawlor told Gaelic Life.

“What I’ve heard from the players so far is that they want to play in the Nicky Rackard and Monaghan [county board] obviously want them to play in it as well so I decided I would help them out when I was asked and I’m delighted to do that.

“If you look at the performances in the national league they have to have a decent chance in the Nicky Rackard, but we have to keep in mind that there’s been an interrupted preparation for it.

“Championship matches are difficult and you need to have proper preparation but the lads have trained well for the duration that I’ve been there so far.”