Freeman full of confidence ahead of Ulster showdown

Damien Freeman is in his third season as Monaghan captain and is keen to put his leadership qualities to good use this Sunday when the Farney men contest their first Ulster SFC decider since 1988.

The tigerish half-back believes that only one thing could match being in Sunday's final - and that is winning it.

"I think it's the happiest moment of our football careers for the whole panel. None of us has played in an Ulster final and I think it is something we all dreamt of growing up," Freeman said ahead of the clash with Tyrone.

"Dreaming of wearing the Monaghan jersey and getting to an Ulster final is something special and I'm delighted with that."

There has been quite a turnaround in Monaghan's fortunes over the past five years.

Some positive league performances ensured a good grounding for this summer's championship, and Freeman is delighted to have a mixture of youth and experience in the current Monaghan team.

"I think the main factor was that you had a bunch of lads who came in this year and wanted to wear the Monaghan jersey and they wanted to win games.

"Whatever was asked of the panel, every man did it and you can't ask any more than a man giving 100% and there is not one man on the panel that you could fault."

The 30-year-old salesman has seen more bad times than good times as an inter-county player but is hopeful that all of the hard work put in over the years will pay off come Sunday.

"I'm playing for Monaghan for 10 or 11 years and there have been a lot of bad times there," Freeman admitted.

"We were just training all winter and into the summer for one game and it was very disappointing and very disheartening. But I kept at it and kept training away and this moment is special and it is something we will never forget but there is one final hurdle to jump and hopefully we can do that."

And despite moving into the retirement zone Freeman believes he is as fit and as hungry for football as he ever was.

"Once you keep yourself in shape and watch what you are eating and drinking when you are not playing and work hard in the gym then you will be okay.

"I probably feel better than I have ever felt going out onto the field. It's amazing and I suppose all credit has to go to Martin McElkennon for that as he has us in absolutely top shape."

It is the youthful exuberance of the likes of DCU student Ciaran Hanratty, Monaghan's two-goal hero against Down, which has helped to keep Freeman going.

"Without a doubt, Ciaran (Hanratty) is a great lad and is really eager to learn. He is a big day player and he has confidence to burn as does Vincent Corry who has a great attitude and works fierce hard at his game."

Freeman captained Monaghan to the 2005 NFL Division Two title, their first national trophy in 20 years, but his county has lived in the shadow of teams like Armagh and Sunday's final opponents Tyrone for so long and he believes that it is time to change that.

"The likes of Armagh and Tyrone were very hard to beat, that was the only down side of it.

"It was obviously great to see them come out of Ulster and go on to win the All-Ireland (in recent years) because obviously when a team comes out of Ulster you get behind them and you give them your full support and it was great to see them do that," he added.

"But for myself it would be an absolute dream come true (to lift the Anglo Celt Cup). I watched the last Monaghan captain lift it below in Clones and for me to go up and lift it, it would be perfect but there is a lot of hard work to be put in before that can be done, we're well aware of that."