Laoise v Muineacháin - Portlaoise - 12/04/09

[heffo]

would be concerned about the standard in leinster after today. in fairness westmeath had no interest today.

I wouldn't be getting carried away either - nice score to rack up but poor opposition with nothing but pride to play for

[Maguire01]

Brilliant result today - well worth the journey! Great performances all over the pitch. Tommy had his best game this year, as did Gollogly. Finlay and Clerkin continued their good league form. What was notable though was the performances of two of our older campaigners - Damien Freeman and McArdle both had great games and have shown that they still have a lot to offer Monaghan.

It was great to see Monaghan taking the game from the start, seemingly determined not to have to rely on other results going their way.

Let's hope it's Croke Park and not Parnell for the final - there's no way Parnell could hold the Monaghan crowd for the final. If not Croke Park, then Portlaoise again.

[ExiledGael]

Impressive looking score racked up by Monaghan but can they have learned a lot from it?
Have seen Monaghan 2/3 times this year and have been impressed by Conor McManus and Darren Hughes. Maybe Downey can make a jersey his own. They seem to be at their peak at the minute but what has Banty learned from the League (which is pretty much what it's all about)? It seems to be the same players in the same places doing the same things. They're undoubtedly physical enough but what will be different this year about them than last? Or the year before? Genuine question here, not neighbourly abuse.

[Schkite]

Impressive looking score racked up by Monaghan but can they have learned a lot from it?
Have seen Monaghan 2/3 times this year and have been impressed by Conor McManus and Darren Hughes. Maybe Downey can make a jersey his own. They seem to be at their peak at the minute but what has Banty learned from the League (which is pretty much what it's all about)? It seems to be the same players in the same places doing the same things. They're undoubtedly physical enough but what will be different this year about them than last? Or the year before? Genuine question here, not neighbourly abuse.

I think we'll have learned a good bit from the league actually. The thing is, most of the squad has been used well in the league and we still got promoted, as opposed to last year when we basically stuck to the same starting team and few subs for the most part, and lost out on promotion. Downey is the only complete newcomer who has been used regularly, and he played in every game which will have given him valuable experience which he'll need ahead of the summer. Other younger players, like McManus and Hughes as you mention, have come on leaps and bounds and are securing starting spots in the championship with their performances. Also, different players have been used in different positions, and a bit of experimenting has been done which I think is a big part of the league. The best thing for me though is that we actually seem to have a good squad assembled now, whereas in the past we've barely had anything to take off the bench. There's healthy competition in all places which is great to see. We've had an excellent spread of scorers in most of the games when in the past we've been too reliant on Tommy, and the older players like Damien and McArdle are showing that they've still got alot to offer by turning in very good performances themselves.

Overall I'm delighted with the league. Job done as far as promotion is concerned, and I think the whole squad has been used very well.

[Maguire01]

Yep, like he said.
We now have a bench to use. We didn't before. Downey, Hughes and McManus are now proper contenders for the first 15. We also more than managed today without JP Mone and Woods didn't start (and wasn't up to his usual standard when he did come on). The likes of McGuigan and McEnaney could be options if we had any injuries. One outstanding problem is that we still have a lack of proper cover for midfield.

It's not time to get carried away however - Laois were dire and didn't really have anything to play for. But Monaghan are in a better position now than this time last year in terms of the squad. There's no doubt though that we have a brutal draw in Ulster and whether we have enough to make a real stab at it is another question.

[Main Street]

It was very interesting to read Banty's quoted comments after the game that he had his doubts.

"I'm delighted. These boys have proved they can mix it with the best of them.
"I wasn't convinced before this year that we were ready for Division 1 but we are now."

Last year overall, the team just about maintained the performance from the year before, but they did look like they reached a wall.
This year has the appearance of a solid squad motoring nicely, ready and highly motivated for championship training.
There is huge credit to be given the management team.
I think we will do well this year and Derry are  going to have to be in tip top shape just to stay in contention.
A fit T Freeman and Finlay are essential


Nice picture from rte.ie  looks like it says a 1,000 words about the game

[INDIANA]

Seem to be going well fellas but I'd urge a bit of caution. there is a major difference between div 1 and 2 in the national league. Only seen it myself this year really. We really struggled against the good div1 teams. Derry are operating at the high end of div 1 and really are building a hell of a side.

[Maguire01]

I don't think anyone is getting to carried away really. Monaghan were in Division 1 in 2006 for just one year - we know how tough it is (even though we did run some of the big teams very close that year). At the same time, Derry won Division 1 last year, yet fell to Fermanagh and then Monaghan in the Championship. Derry probably have a better panel this year than last, but Monaghan definitely have as well. Next year's league will be all about survival, but as i've said many times, you'll only become a top team if you're playing the top teams on a regular basis.

[Main Street]

There is not a whole lot between the 4 teams lined up to challenge Tyrone, even the PP betting is wide open on that.
Derry will be favoured against us, they can not possibly play like the misfit bunch they were last year at Clones.

It's one game at a time for us, though the Div 2 final is really a nothing game

Indiana,  i'd bank on Kildare getting to the Leinster Final

[Schkite]

Derry is a huge game, they'll have all the motivation in the world and will be well up for it. They'll want to avenge the defeats of the last two years, they'll not want to lose at home, they have the new manager factor and they're flying under Cassidy, and of course they'll desperately be wanting to take a step towards a first Ulster in ages. Everything points towards a Derry win. They'll be favourites for the 3rd year in a row, but the underdog tag seems to suit Monaghan(not that matters at all with Derry by now). As I say, it's a huge game and would be some achievement just to win it given that everything is going against us. Ah sure we'll wait and see, not too long left now!

[Maguire01]

It's one game at a time for us, though the Div 2 final is really a nothing game

I don't agree with that at all. Firstly, it would be a great boost to go into the Derry game on the back of a second victory against Cork.

Secondly, Ulster is a huge challenge this year and it might just be a step too far. A great run through the qualifiers may result, but it's unlikely to end with the Sam Maguire. As such, 26th April is a real chance to get some silverware in 2009.

I know a lot of people turn their noses up at the league, but i reckon it's a pretty big achievement for Monaghan if they could win Division 2 in 2009, given that it was probably a tougher division than in 2008 - although i appreciate that we've already achieved the main aim of the campaign.

[donelli]

I don't think anyone is getting to carried away really. Monaghan were in Division 1 in 2006 for just one year - we know how tough it is (even though we did run some of the big teams very close that year). At the same time, Derry won Division 1 last year, yet fell to Fermanagh and then Monaghan in the Championship. Derry probably have a better panel this year than last, but Monaghan definitely have as well. Next year's league will be all about survival, but as i've said many times, you'll only become a top team if you're playing the top teams on a regular basis.

there is a big difference between the div 1 of 2006 and the div 1 of this year.
in 2006, the quality was diluted for div 1 as you 16 teams making 2 groups of div 1 (a & b)
now it is only the top 8 counties in the country which is going to be hard for monaghan next year (as westmeath and dublin found this year).

[Maguire01]

I don't think anyone is getting to carried away really. Monaghan were in Division 1 in 2006 for just one year - we know how tough it is (even though we did run some of the big teams very close that year). At the same time, Derry won Division 1 last year, yet fell to Fermanagh and then Monaghan in the Championship. Derry probably have a better panel this year than last, but Monaghan definitely have as well. Next year's league will be all about survival, but as i've said many times, you'll only become a top team if you're playing the top teams on a regular basis.

there is a big difference between the div 1 of 2006 and the div 1 of this year.
in 2006, the quality was diluted for div 1 as you 16 teams making 2 groups of div 1 (a & b)
now it is only the top 8 counties in the country which is going to be hard for monaghan next year (as westmeath and dublin found this year).

Yep, you're right. But Division 1a was definitely the tougher one.

This year, you needed 6 points to survive in Division 1. 3 wins or 2 wins and 2 draws. Next year we'll have Kerry, Cork, Galway, Mayo, Derry, Tyrone and Dublin to play - getting 6 points there won't be easy and there will be some long journeys - no doubt we'll be seen as the 'Westmeath' of the division next year.

[thebandit]

I wouldn't mind another away trip to Cork - last year was unreal craic