It’s always someone’s first

Maitiú Monaghan

“I’d like to thank David McCague,” Rory Beggan croaked on the steps of the Gerry Arthurs Stand.

The Scotstown captain is well into his speech at this stage, thanking the fans, backroom team, sponsors.

But there was a deliberate pause before he spoke about David McCague, like he was saving the best till last.

“He’s my neighbour, manager, friend.”

Beggan’s vocal cords were beginning to strain. By the time he’d finished speaking they’d completely disappeared. There would be no celebratory karaoke for the Scotstown goalkeeper on Sunday evening. A pity. Maybe next year.

Bravely, he soldiered on: “We can look forward to going into the Ulster Championship as defending champions.”

A loud cheer went up on the field, where fans from the north Monaghan parish were gathered.

So dominant have Scotstown been in the Monaghan Senior Football Championship that they have grown tired of the question; ‘Do you ever get tired of winning?’

‘It’s always someone’s first’ is the quip that’s often offered.

Sunday was corner-back Mark McCaffrey’s first time playing in a county final, first time winning it. Last year, it was Tommy Mallen, and Max Maguire’s.

The tally keeps rising and rising as you go down through the years. In 20 years playing for Scotstown, Darren Hughes has 11 titles, and so too do Rory Beggan and Kieran Hughes.

Six players who started for Scotstown when this run of Championship success began in 2013 also started in 2026. Current manager David McCague came on as a sub back in 2013. A golden generation indeed.

He had a good game on Sunday, young McCaffrey. Early on he came onto a ball like a steam train, broke a tackle and passed the ball off to a team-mate. Nothing spectacular; something good followed by something simple.

McCague has built something truly special with this Scotstown side.

Since he took over in 2022, they’ve won four in a row, and finally got over the line in the Ulster Championship last year.

Winning in Monaghan had become the norm for Scotstown before McCague took charge, but on the biggest winter nights, against the provincial kingpins, they repeatedly fell short.

On paper, his job looks easy.

But then, you’ve a changing room littered with inter-county stars, retired veterans who have known unparalleled success, eager young players determined to make their mark, and countless other talented players who would probably feature in 90% of club teams in Monaghan - who aren’t getting a minute.

I don’t envy him.

What’s most impressive is how McCague has instilled an ethos where everyone, to a man, will do what’s best for Scotstown.

He’s supported by a club that also do an incredible job developing players right up to Senior level.

In smaller clubs, young players are sometimes thrust into adult football earlier, often it is to plug a hole left by players retiring or emigrating.

That’s never going to happen in Scotstown. Because of their massive playing pool, young players will always have to fight for the jersey - but that doesn’t mean they won’t get their chance.

And there genuinely is always someone fighting for their first county title. McCaffrey wasn’t handed a jersey on a whim.

Do you think Rory Beggan would step aside just to let someone else have a go? Or that McCague would risk losing a county final to give a youngster an opportunity?

Tuesday nights must be ferocious at the Kilmore training grounds in Ballinode, with 40 odd men desperate to fill just 15 starting jerseys.

Publicly, the club is united in its ambition. Rarely, if ever, will you hear of disgruntled players in Scotstown dressing room.

They all sing from the same hymn sheet- even if Beggan’s lost his voice.

Dominance

Up the road a wee bit, deeper into north Monaghan, the Truagh team will be devastated this week.

They felt they had a point to prove after losing the 2021 final, and looked posed to possibly put some demons from that day to rest.

Beating their neighbours was a tall order for Truagh, but the manner of Scotstown’s win was surprising.

Mark Counihan’s side were rattled by Scotstown’s fast start - opening with two two-pointers. Louis Kelly’s missed goal chance was immediately followed by Ryan O’Toole’s goal, and in the second half Beggan kicked up a storm that blew Truagh out of the water.

At half-time the Truagh faithful were nervously drinking their tea, while some neutrals were planning a quick getaway before the final whistle. Many had come expecting if not an upset, then an enthralling attacking contest.

It is hard to ignore the unease in some quarters about Scotstown’s dominance, and the impact it is having on Monaghan club football. Some point to Donaghmoyne’s success on the ladies’ side, others to Ballygunnar’s reign in Waterford, where they have won 13 hurling titles in a row.

We aren’t there yet, and a one-sided county final shouldn’t be used as evidence that open-heart surgery is needed on Monaghan football.

It’s not as if the pool of talent has dried up. Ask anyone who watched the enthralling minor final on Sunday, where Aughnamullen won their first ever minor title.

Last year, Clontibret’s minors got to an Ulster final.

In 2025, the SFC final went to extra-time, and there were two brilliant games in this year’s semi-finals.

Monaghan GAA are making changes to the structures, next year there will be 12 teams in Senior and Intermediate. It is hoped that it will raise the standard of football across the two divisions.

Sunday’s defeat should be seen for what it is; a bruising defeat for Truagh against one of, if not the, best club team Monaghan football has ever produced.

Mark Counihan’s side will lick their wounds this week. But they’re a talented side. Their plans to knock Scotstown off their perch will begin again during the winter months.

The same conversations are being had in Clontibret, Inniskeen, Carrick, and Blayney. The other teams in Ulster will be eyeing up developments in Scotstown, as will Brigid’s and Cuala.

David McCague’s men don’t have the luxury of worrying about that just yet. Jack McCarron didn’t start in the county final, but he came on as a sub. Presumably he’ll be back for the Ulster quarter-final.

Training will be interesting on Friday night. Someone will have to make way.