Anyone can win Monaghan IFC

By Maitiú Monaghan

Widely regarded as the best competition in Monaghan football, the IFC kicks off this weekend with at least five genuine contenders for silverware. The winners will join newly crowned IFL winners Killanny in Senior next year. The introduction of a third promoted side this year adds an additional layer of intrigue to the competition.

Aspirations

If Aughnamullen can click into gear, they should be unstoppable in the IFC. However, it hasn’t happened for them just yet. Their talisman, Micheál Bannigan, is one of the best club players in Monaghan, and keeping tabs on him is a downright impossible task. Teams will have to leave gaps elsewhere in order to keep Bannigan somewhat under wraps. That should give Aughnamullen enough of an attacking platform to launch a serious title challenge. Bobby McCaul is a massive loss through injury, but the Sarsfields will feel they have more than enough talent in their panel.

Experience

Although Ballybay find themselves in a unique position of playing Intermediate football, they’ve been around the block enough times to negotiate their way back up to Senior. Their problem is not a lack of talent, with the McGuinness brothers, Dessie Ward, Thomas Kerr and Ryan Wylie all seasoned Senior players. Fitness and squad depth could be their downfall this year, should they pick up injuries to key players as the competition develops.

Potential

Since gaining promotion in 2022, Clones have been remarkably consistent at Intermediate. They have never been in too much relegation trouble. This year, they look set to push on to the next level, with a good mix of maturing young players, and veterans. The pace of Ryan Rooney, Darragh McElvaney, and Caolan Clerkin will frighten any back line.

Firepower

On their day, Donaghmoyne are the most dangerous sides in the Intermediate Championship. Davy Garland is, arguably, the best club player in Monaghan. If Donaghmoyne can get Garland and Liam McDonald onto the pitch together, even the most rock-solid defences will crumble. However, McDonald’s fitness is a concern, and sides will make a conscious effort to shut Garland down at all costs. If Donaghmoyne can overcome those obstacles, they will go a long way in the competition.

Resilience

For years sides have been eyeing up Doohamlet as a soft touch, and for years they have been proven wrong. It’s astonishing how consistent the village club are in the Intermediate Championship. Barry McBennett and the evergreen Colin Walshe always rise to the challenge in the biggest games, and it always gets them over the line. They should have more than enough grit and gumption to beat the drop once more.

Underdogs

Eire Óg will go into the Championship completely under the radar. Having been promoted last season, they had a difficult league campaign – which culminated in a relegation play-off loss to Doohamlet. Still, they haven’t been relegated just yet and there are green shoots of improvement for the Smithboro club. Noah McGinty has been a revelation, and they will back themselves to avoid relegation.

Depth

Outside of Scotstown, few sides can match Emyvale’s depth. In every department they are loaded with technical, athletic players who have all represented the county at some level. However, consistency has been a problem, as relegation to Junior in 2024 has shown. The north Monaghan club had way too much firepower for the competition last year and bounced back up with little fuss. This year, there is a real chance that they could do back-to-back promotions.

Champions

Those who were paying attention were not surprised to see Killanny win the IFL last weekend. Underdogs the whole way through, the scoreboard didn’t do them justice in the semis or the final. The south Monaghan club are a tight group with tonnes of talent, and even more belief. Their IFL win was no flash in the pan, and they will be hungry for more success.

Already promoted, the shackles are off as they head into the Championship.

Building

The Harps are a strange side in many ways. They often float under the radar, despite quietly building a side capable of winning the IFC. The Monaghan Town side finished fourth in this year’s league, however injuries to players like Luke McManus and Senan Cudden are a concern.

With Seán Callan as the focal point, they have an electric forward line that could take them deep into the competition.

Resolve

This weekend’s opener against Clones feels like a massive game for Tyholland. Both sides have been competing for the same oxygen in the IFC for years, with Tyholland edging the battle. In Karl O’Connell and Dermot Coyle, they have experience galore, but a poor league campaign saw them finish bottom of the pile. A fast start is needed to avoid another relegation play-off- but Tyholland have shown before that they have it in them.

Prediction

Only a fool would confidently predict the winner of this year’s IFC.

Emyvale, Donaghmoyne, Monaghan Harps, and Ballybay all have more than a fighting chance, as do Killanny and Clones.

Last week’s IFL Final loss is a worry, but I’m just backing Aughnamullen to win it, if their key men are fit.