Football

Scotstown 'mature enough' to have real tilt at Ulster title now says captain Darren Hughes

Darren Hughes lifts the Mick Duffy Cup after Sunday's Monaghan final victory over Ballybay. Picture by Philip Walsh
Darren Hughes lifts the Mick Duffy Cup after Sunday's Monaghan final victory over Ballybay. Picture by Philip Walsh Darren Hughes lifts the Mick Duffy Cup after Sunday's Monaghan final victory over Ballybay. Picture by Philip Walsh

SCOTSTOWN captain Darren Hughes believes the Monaghan champions are now “mature enough” to have a proper cut at the Ulster club, following the disappointment of recent years.

An Bhoth, who secured their fourth county title in-a-row with victory over Ballybay on Sunday, reached the provincial final in 2015 but have bowed out to Kilcoo and Kilcar at the first hurdle in the two years since.

Scotstown lost out to Crossmaglen after making it to the decider three years ago, and haven’t had their hands on the Seamus McFerran Cup since 1989 – their fourth Ulster success after the remarkable hat-trick from 1978-1980.

Prior to 2013 Hughes and his team-mates hadn’t known any culture of success at the club, with Scotstown’s previous Monaghan title coming away back to 1993, and they are determined to capitalise on the impressive collection of silverware in recent times.

“Ah yeah, we are probably reminded plenty of times about the men from Scotstown that have a few Ulster club titles to their names,” smiled the 31-year-old.

“I haven't thought much about it to be honest but in previous years, we have ultimately failed. We had one good run in 2015 and lost in extra-time to Cross but for the last couple of years we went out in the first round with a whimper.”

However, having just completed their own four in-a-row, Fermanagh champions Derrygonnelly Harps will also feel this could be their year as they prepare to meet Scotstown on October 21.

Last year they came close to reaching an Ulster final, exiting to Cavan Gaels after a replay, and Hughes believes they will come into this provincial campaign with greater belief.

“I think the team is mature enough now but I would say Derrygonnelly are saying the exact same thing in their dressing room.

“They have won four in-a-row in Fermanagh, they have a week on us there, they would have had plenty of men there today and the game was on TV so they have got a real good look today.

“Kieran [Donnelly, Scotstown manager] is from Fermanagh and he would have a real good insight into them. I think if we could play as we did today, bring the game to teams, we are hard stopped.

“We know we are good up front but we have tried to win Ulster and ultimately failed, so we have to get the balance right.”

There has been a familiar face on the sideline this year too, with former GAA director general back Paraic Duffy serving as a selector at his club after leaving his role at Croke Park.

“It’s a special one for him being involved this year too,” said Hughes as he clasped the Mick Duffy Cup, named in memory of Paraic’s father.

“It was great to have him there - a fresh voice. He brings something to the table.

For a lot of our players he was a past principal of St Macartan's and they had listened to him over the years in professional terms and then you have him in the dressing room and he is a different man.

“He has a big interest in sport worldwide and he brings his knowledge to it. Different wee things. We would always see him in a professional capacity in the GAA, but he brings something different this year.”