AFTER posting their best collection of performances this season since graduating to Division One in 2015, Monaghan boss Malachy O’Rourke says there has been no major tactical overhaul and credits his players for “thinking on their feet”.
The Farney men hit their best tally (6-88) in their four-year residence in the top flight, a slightly better scoring average than previous campaigns (4-86, 2015; 6-83, 2016; 7-79, 2017).
This season was also their second best defensive performance in Division One – conceding just one goal (against Donegal) – three points worse off than 2017.
While there is evidence Monaghan are kicking the ball into the inside line more often than in previous years, O’Rourke’s feels it’s merely the natural progression of a team well used to their Division One surroundings.
“We’d be trying to move things on all the time and we would feel we’re trying to be more attacking at different times of the game,” said the Monaghan boss.
“If you can kick the ball in early to your inside forward line that’s probably when they are most dangerous. Having said that, teams set up differently and that isn’t always possible.
“I think it’s about making the right decision on the ball and playing what you see in front of you a lot of the time. You can’t go out with a certain thing in mind and just stick to it. It’s very much a case of who you’re playing, what way they set up and trying to plan your game accordingly, and players have to think on their feet and do what they think is right and I suppose it’s about giving them the freedom to do that and they’re prepared to back themselves.”
Undoubtedly, Monaghan have better attacking options than ever before in O’Rourke’s successful six-year reign, and the side are obviously playing to their strengths.
The emergence of Conor McCarthy and Jack McCarron have been huge bonuses in the Farney attack and eases the perceived burden on Allstar forward Conor McManus.
The Clontribret man still finished Monaghan’s highest scorer with 1-18 (1-11 from placed balls) this season while McCarthy and McCarron chipped in with a combined 1-20 across the seven games in Division One this year.
O’Rourke points to the general shift towards a more attacking brand of football too over the last couple of seasons.
“There was possibly a period where the game did become more defensive but it changes all the time. There is a lot of attention given over to the game now.
"From year to year, teams are thinking what can they do to get that wee bit better.
“More than anything there is an emphasis on kick-outs.
“A lot of teams are pushing up on kick-outs and trying to deprive the opposition of possession and getting possession yourself to be in an attacking position.
“I think that is one big change and trying to retain possession from your own kick-outs and trying to disrupt the opposition’s kick-outs. That lends itself to a more offensive, attacking game, at certain times of the game anyway.”
Monaghan face defending champions Tyrone in their Ulster opener on May 20 in Healy Park, whom they defeated by a point in their League encounter.
“We’ve the toughest draw we could possibly get,” said O’Rourke.
