2016 GREENFIELD FOODS MONAGHAN SFC ALL STARS TEAM
1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown): The Scotstown custodian is still one of the most highly rated goalkeepers in the country and is still the top shot stopper in Monaghan as he repeatedly showed in this years senior football championship. His shot stopping ability is just one aspect of this man’s game which he demonstrated with one magnificent save that denied Ballybay a goal at a vital time in the semi final when a three pointer could have changed the ultimate outcome. His kick outs too were varied and were the catalyst for quick forays into enemy territory at times while his ability to come forward and convert long-range frees or 45s contributed vital scores to Scotstown’s progress.
2. Brian Greenan (Clontibret): The 22-year-old defender made his senior championship debut in 2011 and, despite his tender years, is the holder of senior medals won in 2014 having won a minor championship medal in 2010. It was in 2016 though that he made a real impact as he battened down the corner-back position and more than held his own with some very accomplished and more experienced forwards.
3. Drew Wylie (Ballybay): Wylie has earned for himself the reputation of one of the most accomplished full backs in the game and he performs a similar role for Ballybay. Despite his side not reaching the county final, he produced some power-packed performances as they reached the semi-final, where his role at the heart of the defence almost kept Scotstown at bay.
4. Emmet Caulfield (Scotstown): The 27-year-old won his third Championship medal this year having made his debut back in 2011. In the intervening years he has filled a number of roles with Scotstown but in the past two years he has established himself as an ever-present in the defence. As in 2015, he put in some sterling performances, particularly in Scotstown’s victory over Ballybay in this year’s semi final, with some excellent tackling and interceptions. It was the same in the county final as he worked tirelessly to limit Clontibret and was involved in the some productive counter-attacks.
5. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay): The 22-year-old student has already a very impressive CV with both club and county, having represented both at minor, under 21 and senior level. While Ballybay did not make the county final this year, he still demonstrated his qualities as a versatile defender, showing great positional vision, excellent marking and tackling ability, as well as being very adept at setting up telling counter-attacks.
6. Conor Boyle (Clontibret): Some established centre-backs performed well in this year’s Championship but 22-year-old Conor Boyle has now established himself as one of the most reliable central defenders in Monaghan. Last year he was operating at corner-back, but this year his displays at the heart of the Clontibret defence mark him down as a potential long-term bearer of the number 6 shirt.
7. Colm Greenan (Clontibret): Originally being groomed as a full-back, Greenan’s progress was affected by a bad leg injury but he is fully recovered and revelling in his role now as an attacking half-back. He is, though, primarily a defender of quality with his astute positional sense. His ability to drive forward in support of the attack is now a feature of Clontibret’s play, and he was one of their best performers in last Sunday’s county final.
8. Vinnie Corey (Clontibret): As Clontibret captain Vinny Corey has been a real driving force. His influence on Clontibret is immense and he is a great motivator in the dressing room. On the field too he has produced some memorable moments, none moreso than his brilliant solo goal against Magheracloone in this year’s semi final.
9. Kieran Hughes: (Scotstown): A hugely versatile player, Hughes was often nominally lined out as a forward, but filled a number of roles in defence as well, bolstering Scotstown’s back-to-back success. He has been used as both the sweeper - to great effect in a couple of games - as well as an in an attacking role where his link play with his brother is radar like. He hit five superb points in the semi-final against Ballybay to underline his qualities as a finisher, and his magnificent goal in last Sunday’s county final was worth the admission charge alone. It helped bring his tally to 1-14 for the summer.
10. Paul Finlay (Ballybay): The veteran of many championship campaigns with both Ballybay and Monaghan, Paul demonstrated repeatedly in this year’s championship why a player with his skill, passing ability and eye for the posts is such a valuable commodity. He had a magnificent game when Ballybay defeated Clontibret in their opening game this year but it was in the semi-final against Scotstown where he show cased his vast array of talents and at times almost single-handedly carried the game to the reigning champions, his scores that day bringing him into the top six marksmen in the series.
11. Donal Morgan (Scotstown): Donal has now joined a very elite group of players not only in Scotstown but in Monaghan who have captained winning teams in successive championships, describing his achievement last Sunday as “surreal”. A versatile player, he is equally happy at centre-back or centre-forward, it is for his leadership and vision on the field that he makes the grade in this year’s All Stars team. Last Sunday saw him collect his third senior championship medal.
12. Shane Carey (Scotstown): Carey’s accuracy saw Scotstown end a 20 years championship famine back in 2013. He was their top scorer that year finishing with 4-19, 2-5 of which he scored in the county final itself. He was again their leading scorer in 2014 and featured prominently again this year, the 23-year-old finishing second in the scoring charts with 1-26.
13. Paudie McMahon (Magheracloone): McMahon was one of a number of emerging young stars that lit up individual games with moments of genius in this year’s championship. He was a key player in helping his side get to the semi final and it was his hat trick of goals that almost denied Clontibret a place in the final. His first got his side off to a flying start after just 30 seconds and he hit his second after eight minutes. Even when his side faded towards the end, he injected new life into them with another brilliant individual major to complete his hat-trick and leave the 2014 winners clinging on desperately.
14. Darren Hughes (Scotstown): Scotstown’s motivator in chief and spiritual leader on the field, Darren Hughes was deployed in a number of roles but was most effective playing at full-forward, where his ability to win primary possession, earn frees or set up scores for others was central to Scotstown’s progress to the final. On Sunday last, he scored three excellent points and showed his value to the team by dropping deep in the latter stages to take off some fine catches that helped thwart any chance of a late Clontibret revival.
15. Conor McManus (Clontibret): Top gun in the Monaghan senior football championship for the fifth year in a row and the sixth time in all, McManus needs no introduction. This year he had amassed 1-45 prior to the county final and added 0-11 in the decider as he carried the game to Scotstown. Conor is the holder of four Monaghan senior football championship medals and won his 4th Irish News Ulster All Star back in September.
