Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final: Monaghan v Donegal (tonight, Breffni Park, 7pm)
OVERSHADOWED by 'Brexit' and the compelling drama over in France, tonight’s clash should still light the fires of the thousands who descend on Cavan town.
It is, after all, Monaghan versus Donegal - the fiercest rivalry in Ulster right now. There’s always an extra edge to battles between teams of equal status.
The two counties have shared the last three Ulster finals, with Monaghan holding a precious 2-1 advantage over Donegal.
It matters not a jot that there is no Anglo-Celt Cup awaiting to be gripped at the final whistle.
Pride is the singular driver of this clash.
Given Monaghan’s virtual impenetrability in Clones, Donegal will be pleased tonight’s semi-final is a good 20 miles away in Kingspan Breffni Park.
So what’s changed since this rivalry began to distil in the summer of 2013? Both sides would like to think their respective graphs are still showing positive gradients.
Monaghan can probably boast more freshness while Donegal’s trajectory may well have levelled out.
For starters, the latter’s team-sheet looks as though indelible ink was used halfway through the ‘Noughties’, for the likes of Paddy McGrath, Karl Lacey, Eamon McGee, Frank McGlynn, Rory Kavanagh, Anthony Thompson, Christy Toye and Michael Murphy seem to have been around for a couple of generations.
Despite losing two Ulster finals out of three to Monaghan, in years to come Donegal will be regarded as the better of the two teams, unless of course the Farneymen can make the decisive breakthrough on the All-Ireland stage to counter this assessment.
But Monaghan are rightly deemed slight favourites to come through this evening in what is expected to be another titanic struggle.
On many levels, this could be Donegal’s last rage against the dying light.
They are still coached to fanatically high standards by Rory Gallagher and his backroom staff - but there is serious mileage on the clock and due to some fitness issues there are key players not firing on all cylinders.
Indeed, some are not firing at all.
For instance, Neil Gallagher, culled from the Donegal team-sheet since March through numerous injuries, leaves a gaping hole at midfield.
Paul Durcan’s absence between the sticks equally so.
Both Durcan and Gallagher were the key axis for Donegal winning primary possession. That’s no longer there.
Mark Anthony McGinley is still learning the ropes in Durcan’s absence. Tonight he's in at the deep end.
Michael Murphy could carry an injury into the Fermanagh game and still have influence – but repeating the dose against a more physically imposing opponent will be harder to pull off.
Karl Lacey is another injury-plagued foot soldier that has been bandaged up for more trench warfare tonight.
Frank McGlynn gave Fermanagh a lesson in how a sweeper can contribute to the team’s attack, until a nagging hamstring truncated his afternoon after 52 minutes. That was 13 days ago.
How fit can McGlynn be?
The fact that Rory Kavanagh, subbed after 11 minutes against the Ernemen, was re-introduced for the injured McGlynn didn’t inspire confidence in the Donegal bench.
When you consider Donegal’s various medical updates, no wonder Rory Gallagher challenged Neil McGee’s red card against Fermanagh, unsuccessfully as it turned out.
McGee’s Gweedore club-mate and rookie defender Ciaran Gillespie takes over the number three jersey.
Even if Gillespie starts, he will almost certainly be spared the Conor McManus man-marking portfolio as Paddy McGrath appears better suited.
But Donegal’s warrior spirit and the squad’s evangelical faith in their defensive system means that they still have a great chance of reaching their sixth consecutive provincial final.
Marty O’Reilly continues to pick-pocket defences when they least expect it, Odhran MacNiallais can retain possession brilliantly and dictate the pace of the game for Donegal.
Paddy McBrearty looks sharp too, and did well in the 2014 and '15 deciders.
Both Eoin and Ryan McHugh have the pace and intelligence to punch holes in the Monaghan backline or at least win a rake of frees that Murphy and McBrearty can feast off.
Notably, Monaghan have never scored more than eight points from play against the Donegal defence in those three Ulster finals, so there is no compelling evidence to suggest it will be much different in Breffni tonight, particularly given that goalkeeper Rory Beggan remains Monaghan’s second highest scorer.
Monaghan’s over-reliance on Conor McManus remains as stark as ever, although Karl O’Connell’s more offensive role this year has added a new dimension to the Monaghan attack.
The Tyholland man was involved in 1-11 – exactly half of Monaghan’s tally against Down – which served notice to the Donegal backline.
Scotstown’s classy half-forward Conor McCarthy continues to make progress in his first year involved while Shane Carey and Ryan McAnespie give that three-quarter line fresh legs.
O'Rourke has been able to crack the Donegal code before. Last year's tactics - using the full width of the pitch to find openings in the Donegal defence - worked a treat.
O'Connell's new deployment and line-breaking ability should help too.
Given the hand that Rory Gallagher has been dealt ahead of tonight's semi-final, there are more uncontrollable variables from a Donegal perspective. That gives Monaghan a distinct edge.
Monaghan's defence looks fresher and stronger too.
And while their spread of scores during the League averaged between five and six, they should find just about enough scores outside of Conor McManus's expected tally to nick the spoils in Cavan tonight.
Man of the moment…
Odhran MacNiallais (Donegal)
THERE was a Brazilian footballer at the 1982 World Cup finals who went by the name of Cerezo. With his socks rolled down to his ankles – before shin pads became mandatory – the midfielder was a cool customer.
Full of languid grace, Cerezo played with a casualness that exuded confidence and control. Odhran MacNiallais possesses the same characteristics and is a joy to watch. Like Cerezo, the Gweedore man always seems to have mountains of time on the ball and has the full range of skills.
His two goals sank Fermanagh in Ballybofey the last day while some of his kick passing had Donegal supporters drooling.
Team talk…
Monaghan: R Beggan; C Walshe, D Wylie, R Wylie; D Mone, V Corey, K Duffy; K O'Connell, K Hughes; S Carey, D Malone, R McAnespie; C McCarthy, D Hughes, C McManus.
MALACHY O'Rourke names the same starting line-up that dismissed Down in the first round by 19 points. Scotstown's Conor McCarthy is retained after an encouraging Championship debut against Down earlier this month, while Shane Carey and Ryan McAnespie keep the average age of the team down by a few years. Fintan Kelly, regarded by Conor McManus as the best trainer in the squad, has to content himself again with a place on the bench as do Dick Clerkin and Owen Duffy, both of whom got on the scoresheet against the Mournemen.
Team talk…
Donegal: MA McGinley; P McGrath, C Gillespie, E McGee; R McHugh, K Lacey, F McGlynn; R Kavanagh, O MacNiallais; A Thompson, M McElhinney, E McHugh; P McBrearty, M Murphy, M O'Reilly.
YOU can never take Donegal's match programme team at face value. But here goes. Karl Lacey, who missed the Fermanagh tie, starts at number six, while Gweedore rookie Ciaran Gillespie gets to wear the number three jersey in Neil McGee's absence.
Rory Kavanagh partners Odhran MacNiallais in midfield while Michael Murphy and Frank McGlynn - both carrying knocks - are named at full-forward and left half-back, respectively. The bench options are Christy Toye, Darrach O'Connor, Clom McFadden and Leo McLoone.
Tactical take…
Monaghan
MONAGHAN'S patient possession game and their wide men getting chalk on their boots helped them to find a few holes in the Donegal defence in last year's decider. There's no reason why they can't re-enact these tactics while at the same time they're armed with Karl O'Connell's direct running and ability to pull players out of position. Conor McManus, who didn't look fully fit the last day against Down, is adept at coming out, collecting possession and firing over from just inside the scoring zone. Defensively, Monaghan look very strong with Vinny Corey expected to saddle up to Michael Murphy for the umpteenth time. Defensively and offensively, Monaghan appear to have the right balance.
Tactical take…
Donegal
DONEGAL'S short kick-out strategy will be crucial to winning this game. If they manage to gain primary possession, even deep in their own half of the field, it will give their running game a chance. Ryan and Eoin McHugh hold the key in trying to find ways around the Monaghan backline. They will also have to double-mark Karl O'Connell and Conor McManus. If they can do that with success, Donegal have a great chance of reaching another final. At the other end, Paddy McBrearty will need to be more clinical than he was against Fermanagh for Donegal to rack up enough scores.
Key battle…
Conor McManus (Monaghan) v Paddy McGrath (Donegal)
ALTHOUGH Conor McManus won his duel with Neil McGee in last year’s Ulster final, the suspended Gweedore man must have been eagerly looking forward to balancing the books tonight. But his appeal against his red card against Fermanagh failed and it looks as though Paddy McGrath will probably have the onerous task of curtailing the Clontibret man. A different puzzle for both men.
Who’s the ref?
Ciaran Brannigan (Down)
DAVID Gough is a hard act to follow after the Meath man’s excellent handling of last Sunday’s semi-final between Tyrone and Cavan. History would suggest Clonduff man Brannigan has a tougher assignment in tonight’s other semi-final at Kingspan Breffni Park.
Brannigan didn’t take charge of any Division One games this year but was the man in the middle for the Division Two final at Croke Park between Tyrone and Cavan.
Weather forecast…
WITH rain expected in a lot of parts this weekend, Cavan town may escape with a couple of very light showers. Temperatures could be around 12 degrees. It will still be muggy but the evening throw-in should help make conditions good for both sets of players and spectators.
Previous Championship meetings...
2015 Ulster SFC final: Monaghan 0-11 Donegal 0-10
2014 Ulster SFC final: Donegal 0-15 Monaghan 1-9
2013 Ulster SFC final: Monaghan 0-13 Donegal 0-7
2008 All-Ireland Qualifiers Round Two: Monaghan 0-16 Donegal 0-15
2007 All-Ireland Qualifiers Round Three: Monaghan 2-12 Donegal 1-7
Last Championship meeting...
2015 Ulster SFC final: Monaghan 0-11 Donegal 0-10
A COMBINATION of brilliant tactics and a superb display from Conor McManus enabled Monaghan to win their second Ulster title in three years. It took McManus a while to unnerve his marker Neil McGee but when he did the Farneymen were well on their way to winning back the Anglo-Celt Cup. Paddy McBrearty top-scored for Donegal (0-6, 0-4 frees) and was his side’s most dangerous attacker. The Kilcar man was so unlucky not to tie the game with a last-gasp effort after Donegal owned the final quarter.
