McEneaney moving on with purpose

Eamonn McEneaney: “It was a big opportunity for us to get to the Ulster final but you have to move on from it. ”

Monaghan manager Eamonn McEneaney is predicting a much better effort from his charges in the qualifiers this year, compared to the tame capitulation at the hands of Offaly 12 months ago.

Despite undergoing their own difficulties, the Faithful cruised past their disinterested Ulster opponents with eight points to spare in the opening round last year.

The fact they are one step further down the line this time is a positive for Monaghan, but more significant according to McEneaney, is the improved mindset of his players.

“I think we’re in a much better place all round than we were last year entering the qualifiers,” said the former Farney great.

“We win or lose as a team and we are looking at the overall picture and looking forward to the Laois match.

He is grateful there was sufficient time between the devastating loss to Down and this tie for the players to return to their clubs for some league and championship action. Blowing a nine-point lead in a provincial semi-final is hard to take but Monaghan intend using it now as a positive force.

“It was a big opportunity for us to get to the Ulster final but you have to move on from it.

“There’s no point saying we aren’t hurting from the Down match, because we are, but you have to take the positives from it. We have to show that we learned because we are always trying to improve.”

McEneaney is under no illusions about the extent of the task facing his charges as they make the journey to Portlaoise. While their championship form has been poor, losing to Longford and struggling to overcome Carlow by four points, he insists Laois were the most difficult side Monaghan could have drawn.

“I think Laois were the only team left at that stage of the draw that had played Division 1 football this year.

“Although they got relegated, they had a couple of great performances. They went up to Donegal and beat Donegal.

“The Carlow match was a physical one. It was a local derby and like in Ulster when playing counties around you, you can’t take anything for granted. Carlow had their chances but Laois dug in and would take great confidence from that.”