An Ulster-winning minor squad and a talented crop of players coming through at St Macartan's, Monaghan, recent winners of the MacCormack Cup and among the favourites for the MacRory Cup title, means there is suddenly a rich well of young talent in Monaghan.
Former minor stars, forwards Jack McCarron (above, left) and Pauric Keenan (above, centre) and corner-back Ryan Wylie, have already tasted senior action in this season's Dr McKenna Cup, while Ryan McAnespie and Conor McCarthy will be carrying a potent scoring threat for the Farney seniors in the not-too-distant future. Scotstown's Shane Carey showed what he can do when playing his part in An Bhoth's run to the Monaghan senior title last year and will be looking to make his mark in the Farney forward line this year, as will fellow forwards Thomas Kerr and Daniel McKenna after graduating from the U21 ranks.
In defence, Conor Boyle (above, right) and Paudie McKenna will seek to put the more established stars under a bit of pressure.