Ballybay braced to bounce back as Champions
By Maitiú Monaghan
The last team to beat Scotstown in a Monaghan SFC knock-out game were Ballybay- four year ago.
The Pearse Brothers beat them in the 2022 decider in St. Tiernach’s Park, Dessie Ward’s second half goal the pivotal moment in a tense but entertaining decider.
Four years later, and they’re back in a Championship final- but this time it is the Intermediate decider.
Last season they were relegated to Intermediate unexpectedly, bringing to an end a 17-year stint at Senior, during which twice they won the Championship twice (2012 and 2022).
Despite the success at Senior, Ballybay are no strangers to the Intermediate Final. They’ve competed in two IFC finals this century.
In 2004 they beat Tyholland, and they beat this weekend’s opponents Donaghmoyne 0-15 to 0-8 in the 2008 final.
This season, Davy Harte’s side have understandably carried the favourites tag throughout. They finished top of the League with one loss, and four draws, before losing out in the semi-final to Aughnamullen in a 1-22 to 2-18 thriller.
They’ve kicked on in the Championship- going unbeaten through the group-stage before brushing Clones aside in the semi-final. En route to the final they’ve racked up 9-99 points, over 81% of that came from play.
Of the side that featured in the 2022 decider,11 played some role against Clones in the semi-final a fortnight ago.
The spine of the team is as rock-solid as ever, with Julius Sniauksta between the posts, Tiernan McSkean in the full-back line, and Ryan Wylie and Michael Hannon at half-back. Further up the field are captain Colm Lennon and Dessie Ward, who partner the McGuinnes’ (Christopher and Shane) in a ruthless forward-line.
Paul Finlay has retired since 22’, but Drew Wylie is still going strong. The former Monaghan defender made an appearance off the bench for Ballybay in the semi-finals.
The club have introduced some fresh faces- most notably the DuPlessis brothers, Matthew and Simon. Both are athletic, physical players who have caused teams all sorts of problems this season.
Matthew is joined in the middle of the field by talented Darragh Drury, another who has broken into the side since 2022.
The headlines this season have been dominated by Chris and Shane McGuinness. The later has scored 4-19 in the Championship so far, albeit 3-7 of that came against Clones.
Christopher, meanwhile, has been electric and unplayable at times, often playing the role of provider and the perfect foil for his brother.
Speaking to the Celt ahead of the IFC decider, Ballybay Captain Colm Lennon reflected on his side’s performances so far this season.
“I suppose it was,” Lennon said, when asked if their semi-final win over Clones was “comprehensive”.
“It probably didn’t look like that in the first-half, they’re a very good side. We’re just happy to be over the line and back up to Senior next season.
“The final is coming up now, so our focus has to change very quickly to that.”
Lennon also acknowledged the work being done by the side in the S&C department, and how it has contributed to the longevity of a team that has plenty of miles on the clock.
The Celt’s analyst Michael Hannon works in that department for the club, although the former Cavan footballer is still playing some brilliant football for Ballybay.
“Michael’s been brilliant,” says Lennon. “We have to give him a lot of credit for his S&C background, he’s so knowledgeable on that, and he’s keeping our whole squad injury-free and more robust and stuff.
“But even for his own person, he’s still able to come on and do a job when he’s needed. Michael’s been brilliant this year.
“Christopher and Drew and the likes of myself can be a bit older, but it’s all about managing your body and your load.
“Everyone knows that nowadays, that you have to manage your load. You can’t just be the hero and train every day,” he explained.
Given the recent history of the club, Ballybay are right to set lofty expectations on themselves. It will surprise no one what they set out to do at the beginning of the year.
“Promotion was our goal when we first sat down in January,” the Ballybay captain told The Celt.
“We wanted to get up as fast as we could, which was through the league. It didn’t happen, which we were utterly disappointed about, but we had to just brush down and get back to Championship.
“We’ve done that, but we also have a final to play, and we’ll be looking forward to that now.
“(After the Clones game) was straight away, ‘look, put this aside, we have to go after this final’.”
During his career, Lennon has seen it all in the white and blue Monaghan jersey or in Ballybay maroon. As he, and the club, prepare for the challenge that an IFC Final will bring, the remain focused on the task at hand.
“For Donaghmoyne, it’s the exact same. They’ve regained their status for senior, and they’ll have their motivation as well to get back up and win this trophy.
“We know each other very well, I’m looking forward to that game.”