Farney boss forced to experiment
Injuries and the holiday season have forced Monaghan manager Seamus McEneaney into naming an experimental side for Friday's Tommy Murphy Cup quarter-final against Louth (Dundalk, throw-in 7.30pm).
McEneaney will have only three senior panel regulars on board for the trip to Dowdallshill.
Indeed there are only three players - Paul Finlay, Stephen Gollogly and Eoin Duffy - who have retained their places from the All-Ireland SFC qualifier defeat to Wexford on July 8.
The new players include Castleblayney goalkeeper Padraig McBennett, defenders Mark McNally (Carrickmacross) and Darren Hughes (Scotstown) and forwards Pat Meegan (Inniskeen), Sean Downey (Carrickmacross) and Aidan Ward (Castleblayney).
McEneaney explained: "I have as many as ten players either on holidays or on the injured list and Eoin Lennon is in New York so it’s a matter of playing with what’s available.
"We're using the game to bring in some players who will be eligible for the Under-21 grade next year."
Monaghan last met Louth in the third round of last year's All-Ireland qualifiers with the Farney men running out 1-12 to 0-14 winners at Breffni Park.
The winners of Friday's tie will face Antrim in the Murphy Cup semi-finals. Louth are expected to name their team tonight after training.
MONAGHAN (Murphy Cup v Louth) - P McBennett; M Corey, K Sheerin, Edmund Lennon; M McNally, C Hughes, D Hughes; B McKenna, P Finlay; P Meegan, S Gollogly, E Duffy; C Hanratty, S Downey, A Ward.
