The dust has hardly settled on the All-Ireland final, but in this football-filled split-season, there’s no time, no place, no silence that hangs around long enough for tumbleweed to spawn.
The club season is very much upon us. A quick glance at the Monaghan Senior Football League final pairing of Scotstown and Ballybay and you’d be inclined to say little has changed. In a matter of weeks, you may well be proven right.
It is notable, however, that Scotstown, Ulster finalists last season, have taken the league campaign much more seriously. Three wins from nine in 2023 saw them dip their toes in a relegation battle, but there was always a safety harness on hand, or a towel at the very least.
It is worth noting that their numerous county stars had an elongated inter-county season, with Vinny Corey’s charges exiting the race for Sam Maguire three weeks earlier this time around.
That sounds a little, but in a helter-skelter calendar, 21 days can make you and 21 days can break you.
And so Scotstown look primed to kick off their campaign with a win over the same Ballybay outfit they are due to meet in the league decider.
Although Ballybay didn’t set the world alight in the early rounds of the league, they won five matches on the hop, spurred on as ever by the talented McGuinness brothers, Shane and Christopher.
The latter was their top scorer in the 2023 SFC, notching 2-12 along the way, but a trip to the lion’s den on the Tyrone border will test the Pearse Brothers’ mettle.
A persistent shoulder injury has derailed the silky Dessie Ward in the last 18 months or so. He is the kind of figure the 2022 champions need to exert an influence if they are to upset the holders.
One would expect the reigning champions to get the job done by four or five here. The winners in any case will look good for top spot in the five-team group, which would secure a straight semi-final spot.
The other match in Group One pits 2023 IFL winners Cremartin against Corduff, led by Séamus ‘Banty’ McEnaney.
Having won the double at Intermediate level in 2022, Corduff more than held their own in the top flight last year, losing out to Scotstown in the SFC semi-final.
Free-taker Fergal Hanratty is a well respected figure at club level, more than capable of punishing from range.
Amongst the several McEnaneys is Conor, son of former inter-county referee Pat, who transferred from Carrickmacross since ‘Banty’ returned.
Having managed Corduff as player-coach back in 1998, McEnaney’s sons John and Gavin have become mainstays of the Gaels’ starting team, while Pádraic Keenan is a talented operator.
For Cremartin, they will seek inspiration from Stephen Mooney up front, with younger brother Jamie deployed out the field having been a goalkeeper for the Monaghan U20s this year.
The Shamrocks are operating at this level for the first time in over three decades, spurred on by some successful underage teams in the past few years.
Whilst they boast a youthful outfit, the experience of former Dublin footballer Kevin Nolan will be essential to their chances.
Having been beaten by Cremartin in the league’s relegation play-off, Killanny will be seeking redemption when they face Donaghmoyne in Group Two.
Marksman Eddie Walsh was kept relatively quiet by his high standards in that defeat, finishing as Intermediate top scorer in 2023 as his side defeated Emyvale, Castleblayney, Monaghan Harps and Carrickmacross en route to the IFC title.
Boasting a mean defence and real physicality, they will undoubtedly make life difficult for Donaghmoyne’s main man Davy Garland, a former Sigerson Cup player of the year.
He will likely be deployed as Fontenoy’s lone forward out of possession, while Killanny look to deploy a sweeper to curtail the intercounty star’s influence in what will likely prove a low scoring affair.
Sunday’s other Group 2 affair sees Clontibret come up against Inniskeen, two sides who will be very familiar with each other, having met twice in last year’s Championship, while Grattans’ boss John McEntee formerly managed Clontibret.
Clontibret are under new management after the departure of Mick O’Dowd, and the decision of Conor Boyle to opt out of intercounty football did their league aspirations no harm whatsoever.
With Conor McManus seemingly retired from the intercounty scene, his impact remains huge at club level, starring in a relegation play-off defeat of Cremartin.
Killian Lavelle is another huge asset, arguably Monaghan’s standout player in this Vinny Corey era, with Corey himself yet to retire.
Inniskeen were dealt a blow with the news Seán Jones had suffered meniscus damage while in America for the summer, while Andrew Woods was also on his travels and missed a large proportion of the league.
McEntee’s squad has also been hit by a few key men departing for Australia since their run to the county final in 2023.
That will give Clontibret much hope, but the impact of Louth’s Tommy Durnin at centrefield could sway this one Inniskeen’s way.
Monaghan Greenfield Foods’ SFC fixtures
SFC Group 1 - Saturday August 11
- Corduff v Cremartin (4pm)
- Scotstown v Ballybay (7pm)
SFC Group 2 - Sunday August 12
- Killanny v Donaghmoyne (2pm)
- Inniskeen v Clontibret (5pm)
In the Intermediate section, Emyvale host Castleblayney Faughs in Group 2, while Truagh host Monaghan Harps. Carrickmacross have a bye in what may well turn out to be the most hotly contested section in the county.
Castleblayney and Carrick’ were defeated in league and championship deciders respectively in 2023, having been relegated from the senior ranks in 2022.
Truagh will be fancied to get the better of Monaghan Harps, although Harps did win the IFC in its first year under the current structure back in 2020.
Doohamlet are heavy favourites to better Tyholland in Group 1, while Ulster JFC finalists Blackhill (beaten by eventual All-Ireland winners Arva) will host Clones in what already looks a season-defining clash.
In the Junior section, Seán McDermotts versus Drumhowan is arguably tie of the round, with Aghabog travelling the short distance to Éire Óg after surprising a few in a superb league campaign.
Toome host Killeevan and Oram host Currin in the other group’s opening round of fixtures.