Chance for Inniskeen to get over the finish line in SFC

By Maitiú Monaghan

As the Greenfield Food’s Monaghan Senior Football Championship rolls around for another year, there is a sense that everyone is chasing Scotstown to lift the Mick Duffy Cup. This is what to look for:

Pace:

Last year’s IFC winners, Carrickmacross, return to Senior on the back of an exciting foray into last year’s Ulster Club Championship, losing out to Derry side Glenullin in extra-time in the final. They will be no pushovers this season, with Stephen O’Hanlon, and the Carolans (Fionan and Matthew) in their side, they boast an impressive arsenal of direct running footballers. If they can keep their speedsters fit and healthy, they could be the surprise package in this year’s competition.

History:

The weight of expectation lies heavy on the shoulders of the Castleblayney Faughs. Monaghan’s most decorated club haven’t won a SFC since 2003 or been in a final since 2007. In fact, they’ve spent the last few seasons in the IFC – for the first time in the club’s history. Still, this young Castleblayney side had need not carry those ghosts. In Max McGinnity, Canice Murphy, and Thomas Hughes they have a talented young group, ready to lead the club on.

Crossroads:

It’s amazing what this group of Clontibret players continues to do. Conor McManus, Dessie Mone, and all the veterans of this side continue to light up the competition, year after year. Beaten by Scotstown in the 2024 decider, and in the semi-final, they have repeatedly fallen just short against one of the best club teams in the country. However, a win in the Minor Championship last year has unearthed young talents like Darragh Keenan and Charlie Mone. If they can merge the old with the new, they could well have one more tilt at Scotstown.

Noise:

Is there a more talked about club in Monaghan than Corduff? The McEnaney name carries enormous weight, and high-profile additions like Jason McGee do nothing to dampen interest in how the club is doing. The answer is that they are building nicely. A hammering of Cremartin in the SFL relegation play-off suggested that Corduff are an ambitious side that are coming to the boil just in time for the Championship.

Battle:

Cremartin face yet another uphill battle to keep their place in the SFC. For years they’ve defied the odds with marquee victories late in the year. Ahead of Championship, the Shamrocks already know what is needed to repeat the feat. They are teetering over the edge, having been relegated through the League- but have been offered a lifeline with restructuring of the Division’s this year. Cremartin will rely heavily on Stephen Mooney to guide them towards safety.

Heartbreak:

There’s something Mayo-esque about Inniskeen – and it isn’t just the jersey. The south Monaghan club last won the SFC 78 years ago and have lost five finals since then. They also are one of, if not the most, entertaining club sides in Monaghan. The Grattans play an amazing brand of football. They are rock solid defensively, and Seán Jones and Andrew Woods give defences nightmares. If they can get over the line this season, nobody in Monaghan will begrudge them.

Stability:

The big problem Truagh have had in recent years, is an inability to get their best players on the field together. Gary Mohan and Louis Kelly are an intimidating duo to come up against, be it in midfield or with Mohan as a full-forward. Unfortunately, both men continue to be plagued by injuries. Truagh are a big club with a big panel, but to compete with Scotstown they need their best players to be fit.

Breakthrough:

For several years Latton have been narrowly beaten in knockout stages, often marginally, always heartbreakingly. At underage level, and in reserve football, the club are consistently winning trophies. It feels inevitable, that at some stage the breakthrough will come at Senior level. Kieran Duffy is still their talisman, although the fitness of Aaron Mulligan and Oisin McGorman will be a concern.

Building:

Magheracloone have been building steadily since being promoted from Intermediate in 2024. Both this year and last year, the Mitchells have used the League as a platform to grow and improve- and it has paid dividends. Dylan Byrne has been a revelation for Monaghan in the full-back line, and it is only a matter of time before he is joined by clubmates Jack Doogan and Packie Doogan Burke in the Monaghan dressing room.

Gold Standard:

Although they will insist otherwise, success for Scotstown lies beyond the Monaghan Club Championship. They finally broke their own glass ceiling last year by winning the Ulster Championship.

Although they seem to have a limitless pool of talent, Scotstown could still be caught in Monaghan. They are favourites, but this year’s Championship is not a foregone conclusion.

Prediction:

Scotstown are the obvious pick to win this year's SFC. Still, I wouldn't rule out Inniskeen or Clontibret, or even a surprise winner from the chasing pack like Magheracloone or Corduff.