PAUDIE McKENNA looks likely to be the only Monaghan absentee for Saturday evening’s All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Tyrone.
The Truagh forward has had an operation on an ankle injury and will miss the match, but Ballybay duo Drew Wylie and Christopher McGuinness have recovered from knee and foot injuries respectively and should be fit to start against the Red Hands.
Wylie wore the number three jersey in Monaghan’s Ulster quarter-final win over Cavan, but a medial knee ligament forced him out of the semi-final and final.
In his absence, Vinny Corey switched to full-back and Clones clubman Fintan Kelly took over at centre-back to help Monaghan reclaim the Anglo-Celt Cup.
With the dependable Wylie now back in contention, Farney manager Malachy O’Rourke will have some tricky decisions to make before throw-in on Saturday.
“It’s a great position to be in, in one way, but it’s difficult as well,” O’Rourke admitted.
“The boys who have come in have done a very good job and it means that the panel is very competitive and it just makes it harder coming up to games to decide on your 26 and then the 15 that’s best for the day.
“We’re just glad to be picking from a very strong panel.”
Monaghan have been able to take stock, enjoy their second Ulster title in three seasons and refocus for the All-Ireland quarter-finals since they beat Donegal in Clones on July 19.
Meanwhile, Tyrone have steadily built momentum in the Qualifiers and are playing their best football of the year at present.
The Red Hands struggled through the League and were eventually relegated from Division One, then after losing to Donegal in Ulster they chalked up a lacklustre backdoor home win against Limerick.
There was more of the same in the first half of their round two meeting with Meath but from the start of the second half in that game the Red Hands began to play with purpose and pace.
Confidence has grown since and Mickey Harte’s side have posted 40 points in two wins against Tipperary and Sligo.
“It’s always hard to refocus and get going again after losing in the Ulster Championship,” said O’Rourke.
“Tyrone played very well against Donegal in the first round and I suppose in many ways they were unlucky to lose the game. They had a bit of a break and they came back and they’ve gradually got better and better.
“They’re coming into the game in good form, they’ve had games to iron out any faults they have and they are coming to Croke Park expecting a big performance and that’s what we expect from them.
“Tyrone are a quality team with a lot of good players and that’s the test that awaits us.”
The last time the sides met at Croke Park was also at the quarter-final stage two years’ ago Tyrone emerged with a two-point win. The result might have been different but for Sean Cavanagh’s foul on Conor McManus that prevented the Monaghan forward from shooting for goal.
“It happened, referees are the same as the rest of us – they make plenty of mistakes and you just have to accept that,” said O’Rourke.
“It was one of those things and when a mistake is made it’s how you respond. Both teams will hope that a refereeing mistake won’t cost them the game but I don’t think that will be the case. Everyone: the referee, the players on the pitch, the men on the sideline… will make mistakes but it’s trying to minimise them and the game will be won by the best team on the day.”
