Con O’Callaghan v Kieran Duffy
The Monaghan captain will likely face the sternest test of all his colleagues in curtailing O’Callaghan. The Cuala man’s electric acceleration and change of direction arguably could see him harassed by former skipper Ryan Wylie, but Duffy is more suited to the central channels and the physicality of the Dublin marksman.
The aforementioned change of direction could also be limited by the weather conditions, with a wet surface looking a borderline certainty. Duffy will also be well protected, with Darren Hughes’ presence as a sweeper proving to be a challenge to break down even in the winter of his career.
Duffy endured a rough time tracking Shane McGuigan in the Ulster Championship, but this will be a more old-fashioned full-forward v full-back battle.
James McCarthy v Killian Lavelle
Monaghan probably know their strength isn’t at midfield, and Stephen Cluxton will aim to get joy out of McCarthy and Brian Fenton.
Lavelle has gone under the radar in 2023, acting as the spoiler at centre field. He marshalled Rian O’Neill incredibly well against Armagh, as the Crossmaglen man dropped deep in search of ball. He is Monaghan’s equivalent of Jack Barry.
McCarthy, meanwhile, has still shown a burst of pace, and he has remained one of the constants in a Dublin team that has seen so many quit and return and retire.
David Byrne v Jack McCarron
Jack McCarron will be looking forward to this. It’s no coincidence that arguably his best Championship showing for Monaghan came against Clare, in a match where both teams showed bravery and attacking intent.
Any forward would be delighted with eight points from play, while McCarron’s history against the Dubs has been spoken of at length. He will have particularly been replaying a delicious lob over Evan Comerford in his mind from a league win in Croke Park back in 2017.
Byrne will need incredible focus, as McCarron pops up sporadically.
Stephen Cluxton v Rory Beggan
Beggan’s battle with Ethan Rafferty a fortnight ago didn’t exactly produce the drama we anticipated until the penalty shootout. His roaming antics in the previous two years seem to have been curtailed, as he is now deployed as more of a playmaker in the pocket.
Stephen Cluxton has a better record against Monaghan than most of his teammates, having missed what became a relegation play-off last year, as well as defeats in 2017 and 2019.
His importance is essentially boiled down to Monaghan’s bravery. They will press at times, but how often? He may well be rained with high ball early on, à la Fermanagh and Sean Quigley in 2015.
Monaghan must ask: Has he still got it? This year, Stephen Cluxton is a spent force or a fine wine, with no in between.
