Fiery Farney up for battle on ‘D’ Day
It was a case of the economical beating the erratic in Clones yesterday as Monaghan simply made more of what they manufactured count.
Going ahead for the first time in the 26th minute, it was a lead they never surrendered although they didn’t post a score for the final 23 minutes of the game. At the same time, they kept Donegal scoreless for 28 minutes in the first half.
Donegal’s 11 wides in the second half indicated they dominated possession and territory but Monaghan’s zealot-like protection of their ‘D’ was a key factor as they kept their opponents at bay.
Monaghan themselves, much like in 2013, had to resort to kicking from distance but again were far more successful in finding their range and had bettered their half-time lead, 0-8 to 0-4, by one in the 50th minute, 0-11 to 0-6.
Donegal, through frees from Paddy McBrearty (two) and Michael Murphy, as well as another conversion by McBrearty from play, had cut the gap to one with four minutes remaining. Conor McManus may have sealed it a minute later only for his strike to come off the post.
It wasn’t until McBrearty failed to land one last attempt in the final minute of the three additional minutes that the blue and white numbers in the 33,997 crowd could breathe easy but this was a most deserved win for Monaghan.
How they bounced back from a good start for Donegal before measuring up their opponents was indicative of a mature side that now have plenty of reason to believe they can make the last four at least.
Malachy O’Rourke’s stock was already high prior to this but he’s close to earning the freedom of the county based on more provincial glory. And again he formulated a tactic based on the Donegal blueprint but bettering them at it.
“The one thing about Donegal is they try to pull you out of position and exploit the spaces left behind. They started well but after that, we got to grips with it, we didn’t give them much room to play in and we got to grips.
“There was always going to be plenty of turnovers so whichever team used the ball best (would win). We did for a while and Donegal did as well — there was nothing in the game. We were just delighted to win.”
Once again, Vinny Corey did an outstanding job on Michael Murphy, keeping the Donegal captain scoreless from play for the third consecutive Ulster final. For the opening quarter, a roaming Conor McManus was kept in check by Neil McGee. He also received a massive dunt from Murphy for his trouble in the 20th minute but recovered to better McGee and finish out the half with a point either side of a brilliant Dessie Mone shot from distance.
“That’s the thing about Conor,” said O’Rourke, “great fella and great gentleman but sometimes people forget that there is a tremendous determination and tremendous will in him. He was getting preferential treatment at the start of the game, not in a bad way, but he was being marked very tightly. He wasn’t prepared to give in and not prepared to stand about and take it and he got going and he scored three from play. That’s the mark of the man.”
McManus showed excellent tackling skills in helping to dispossess Christy Toye for his 32nd minute point and the Donegal veteran was replaced shortly afterwards after Monaghan had exploited his right wing one too many times.
Five of Donegal’s six points in the second half came from frees as they were faced by a cluster of Monaghan players who loitered the middle like sentries. Yet Rory Gallagher felt his side had done themselves justice in that period although he agreed they weren’t clinical enough.
“Along with being a wee bit flat in the first half, which will probably disappoint us most. I thought in the second half we had an awful lot of possession and probably played a lot of good football but we missed crucial chances.
“We had great energy in the second half. But a lot of that had to do with Monaghan as well in the first half. After we went three-one up, they dominated. The way we played in the second half I thought that a draw would have been merited. It wasn’t just one wide, it was a lot of wides.”
Monaghan notched up nine wides themselves, three of them coming from Mone, but he was all smiles afterwards even as supporters chanted “We want Sam” during McManus’ acceptance speech.
“Listen, you have to enjoy these moments. Fans have been with us from Division 3 right through to Division 1 and those fans have seen the lows of Monaghan football.
“But now we are up in Division 1 and we have won two Ulster titles so it is great for them. So I am not going to take it away from them, they can chant what they want.”
Because their team has given them reason.
Had Paddy McBrearty dramatic last gasp attempt gone over, the sides would be heading for a replay next weekend.
Are Monaghan genuine All- Ireland contenders now and can Donegal recover from this setback?
Monaghan warmed up with 33 players including three goalkeepers. That will earn them a €500 fine as they are only permitted a panel of 26 on match-day.
Monaghan didn’t just mirror Donegal, they were the better reflection.
Conor McManus showed once more why he’s one of, if not, the best in the business. Fintan Kelly and Vinny Corey were exceptional too.
A decent outing for David Coldrick. In a game lacking in pace, it was easier to pick up on fouls.
Monaghan have an All-Ireland quarter-final to look forward to on August 8. Donegal face Galway in a fourth round qualifier on Saturday or Sunday week.
C McManus (0-6, 3 frees); K O’Connell, O Duffy, K Duffy, D Mone, O Lennon (0-1 each)
P McBrearty (0-6, 4 frees); M Murphy (0-2, frees); K Lacey, F McGlynn (0-1 each)
R Beggan; V Corey, C Walshe, D Mone; R Wylie, N McAdam, K O'Connell; F Kelly, O Lennon; D Hughes, D Malone, K Duffy; C McManus, K Hughes, O Duffy.
R McAnespie for O Duffy (46); D Clerkin for O Lennon (70).
P Durcan; P McGrath, É McGee, N McGee; K Lacey, F McGlynn, R McHugh; N Gallagher, O Mac Niallais; C Toye, M McElhinney, M McHugh; C McFadden, P McBrearty, M Murphy.
M Reilly for C Toye (33); A Thompson for K Lacey (inj 40); D O’Connor for C McFadden (53); S Gollogly for D Malone (54); L McLoone for O Mac Niallais (70).
D Coldrick (Meath)
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