Ulster Final MONAGHAN v TYRONETOMORROW SHOULD be Monaghan's day. Few teams have toiled as honestly as they have in the past five years, or have responded so positively to successive disappointments. They have improved in small, steady increments and in Séamus McEnaney they have a manager who mixes old fashioned blood 'n' bandage rhetoric with a studied tactical approach.
They are big, they hit hard, they have two scoring forwards and accurate place-kickers. All that is lacking is silverware and now they have a chance to obtain that against what may be the best team to ever come out of Ulster.
A month has passed since Tyrone made such heavy weather of defeating Down. That is plenty of time for Mickey Harte’s side to do their chameleon act.
They belie the old cliché that you can’t turn it on overnight. Players like Owen Mulligan and Seán Cavanagh are capable of catching fire just like that.
But Monaghan have to believe this is their time. With the exception of Colin Walshe, who has impressed at corner back, this team is not short on experience.
Cork’s approach of fronting-up against Tyrone and using their physical superiority to break the Ulster side down may well be the model Monaghan adopt here.
But we have to assume Mickey Harte and Tyrone have learned from that All-Ireland semi-final loss. If Tyrone hold Tommy Freeman, Monaghan may struggle for scores. Substitutes could play a key role and in Stephen O’Neill, Tyrone have the gem of gems.
TYRONE:P McConnell; C McCarron, J McMahon, R McMenamin; D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan; C Cavanagh, K Hughes; B Dooher, S Cavanagh, Joe McMahon; M Penrose, T McGuigan, O Mulligan.
MONAGHAN:(Probable): S Hughes: C Walsh, D Mone, JP Mone; D Freeman, V Corey, G McQuaid; D Clerkin, O Lennon; S Gollogly, P Finlay, K Hughes; C Hanratty, C McManus, T Freeman.
In the last episode:The teams met at this stage three years ago, when despite a haul of 1-3 by Tommy Freeman, Monaghan lost 1-15 to 1-13. Experience and guile saw Tyrone through. Monaghan rebounded from this setback by pushing Kerry all the way in a pulsating All-Ireland quarter final. Tyrone were sent packing by Meath at the same stage.
You Bet:Monaghan are available at 11/8. A draw is 15/2 and a Tyrone victory priced at 4/5.
On Your Marks:Monaghan have been the form team of this championship and should provide evidence of where Tyrone stand right now. Is there another All-Ireland in the Red Hand or are their best years behind them? This match should let us know if they are poised for another September run.
Gaining Ground: Clones:where else? The Ulster final has become the big day out for the old market town and St Tiernach's is one of the most atmospheric grounds in the country.
Just The Ticket:Gerry Arthurs covered stand: €30. Uncovered €25. Family tickets available for Eastern Stand. Student and OAP concessions apply.
Crystal Gazing:Monaghan will show up ready to play. If Tyrone are not at the races, then the challengers could brush them aside. But it is hard to imagine a pale Tyrone here. Big day pressure brings out the best in Tyrone and the feeling is they will respond to Monaghan's bid and announce themselves as contenders.
