Here's the Monaghan Club All Star Team 2018
1 Rory Beggan (Scotstown)
The big county net minder had another outstanding season at club level and played no small part in Scotstown's march to completing a four in a row of senior championship titles.
Already renowned as a great shot stopper and the operator of a very effective kick out strategy, Rory Beggan even developed on that this year, often moving outfield to become an extra defender when the need arose, as well as registering five points from long-range frees and forty-five’s for good measure.
2. Eoin McKearney (Ballybay)
When teams are winning honours, or in the case of Ballybay, being on the verge of honours, big-name players are most talked about.
But in the case of corner back Eoin McKearney, they have a very astute defender who to an extent operates under the radar as far as headlines are concerned.
He played no small part in Ballybay going one better than last year and reaching the county final this year with his excellent positional sense, disciplined man marking and counter-attacking strategy that saw him nullify some renowned forwards as well as scoring two points himself.
3. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay)
This 24-year old already has an outstanding reputation as a corner back at inter-county level for his vision and well timed tackles, attributes that saw him nominated for an All Star this year.
At local level he translated those qualities very effectively to his role as full-back for Ballybay in this year’s championship.
He established himself as the rock on which many attacks by various opposition floundered and he liked nothing better than driving forward on counter attacks when the opportunity arose.
A truly class performer.
4. Damien McArdle (Scotstown)
This 26-year-old corner-back made his championship debut back in 2010 and since that has battened down the left full-back position as his own.
He won his first senior championship medal in 2013 and has been a regular in each of the club’s successful campaigns that saw him pick up his fourth medal this year.
Quiet efficiency and coolness under pressure would probably best sum up his style of play, attributes that contributed substantially to Scotstown success this year.
5. Colm Lennon (Ballybay)
This versatile 21-year old made his championship debut with Ballybay in 2016 and has established himself as a regular on the team since then.
His versatility sees him used in a variety of roles, either as a wing back or adding width to the Ballybay attack and he showed the qualities he possesses as an attacker in registering four points in Ballybay’s championship campaign.
Although failing to get on the scoreboard in the county final, where he lined out at left half back, but could literally be found anywhere such is his versatility.
6. Drew Wylie (Ballybay)
Big and powerful Drew Wylie imposes himself on any game in which he plays, as most opponents will testify.
He had an outstanding year at inter-county level where his strength at the heart of the Monaghan defence and the power he showed in driving forward on counter attacks saw him nominated for an All Star.
Playing centre-back for Ballybay in this year’s championship, he put in a string of outstanding performances as Ballybay got over an early reverse to book their place in the county final.
There he again showed his true quality as a player, even though it wasn’t enough to get his side over the line and earn him a second senior championship medal to add to the one he won in 2012.
7. Paudie McKenna (Truagh Gaels)
This player is already the holder of Ulster and All-Ireland intermediate club championship medals and since moving up to the senior grade he has been one of the most consistent performers for his club.
His versatility has seen him used in a number of positions but generally as either a wing back or a wing half forward where he is equally adept.
He has contributed to his club’s championship run this season which saw them reach the quarter-final and his 7 points certainly helped in that regard.
8. Darren Hughes (Scotstown)
The Scotstown captain whose theme for playing football is “heart on fire, head on ice”, both led and drove his team to a fourth senior football championship title in a row and in the process, won his fifth senior football championship medal this year.
He was the force in midfield that kept Scotstown on the front foot in vital matches, although he also played further upfield in the attack, where his strength on the ball caused numerous problems for the opposition.
A natural leader he has had a very successful career at inter-county level and is the holder of two Ulster senior football championship medals as well as representing Ireland in the International Rules.
9. Mark Treanor (Castleblayney Faughs)
One of the few dual players operating at senior level in the Monaghan senior championship, Mark Treanor made a substantial contribution to his side reaching the semi finals.
An accomplished hurler, he holds championship medals at both county and provincial level.
This year showed himself to be equally adept with the large ball where his aerial ability and strength on the ball were key factors in Castleblayney negotiating their way through some difficult matches - no doubt probably bringing him to the attention of the county team management.
10. Dessie Ward (Ballybay)
This 23-three-year-old made his championship debut with his club back in 2012, the year. Ballybay last won the senior football championship.
A year later, he added an Ulster minor football championship medal to his county gong and since then has established himself as a regular on the county team.
Operating at wing half forward in this year’s club championship he was a player who repeatedly carried the game to the opposition with his pace and tricky footwork, while his accuracy saw him contribute 0-14, to Ballybay’s championship tally, four of those points coming in the county final.
11. Conor McCarthy (Scotstown)
This live-wire attacker made his senior championship debut with Scotstown in 2013 and this year won his fourth senior championship medal, finishing the series, as Scotstown’s top scorer with 1-14, 1-3 of that coming in the county final itself.
Speed off the mark and a deadly accurate left foot are key qualities but it was his resilience in the county final that saw him register the vital goal when his initial effort was parried by Ballybay goalkeeper, Brian McCabe.
Despite losing his footing McCarthy was able to react to sweep the resultant loose ball to the back of the Ballybay net for a score that set Scotstown on their way.
12. Martin McElroy (Castleblayney Faughs)
While Castleblayney have been out of the championship honours in Monaghan for quite a spell this man has still been one of their most consistent performers, at times, single handedly carrying the bulk of responsibility for scores.
His accuracy from play and from frees this year saw him finish second in the scoring charts with 1-23, just a point behind top gun, Conor McManus.
His best return was 1-8 in Castleblayney's victory over Clontibret.
13. Paul Finlay (Ballybay)
Already a household name and one of the all-time greats in Monaghan, Paul Finlay again this year, demonstrated his qualities as a finisher in helping his side reach the final of the senior football championship for the 1st time since 2012.
Ballybay won the championship that year, giving him a unique collection of championship medals at Junior, Intermediate and Senior and while out of luck this year he finished third in the scoring charts with a total of 0-25.
Three of those points came in the county final where his switch into full-forward created late goal chances that could well have seen Ballybay snatch victory.
14. Kieran Hughes (Scotstown)
While Kieran Hughes carried an injury into the early stages of the championship he still contributed handsomely to Scotstown’s progress, registering in total of 1-7 in their four games.
A number of those points were inspirational scores.
In the county final itself, he imposed himself meaningfully at midfield, although he did spend time in at full-forward.
But it was his fielding and distribution, particularly long range kick passes, that proved so crucial in Scotstown’s dominance and saw him named as Man of the Match.
15. Conor McManus (Clontibret O’Neills)
Anyone who was fortunate enough to see Conor McManus’ outrageous point from an acute angle out on the sideline against Tyrone in the Ulster championship is probably still talking about it.
His class shone through in 2018 with a series of spell-binding displays at county level.
He brought those same qualities to bear on the 2018 Monaghan senior football championship, where, despite Clontibret going out at the semi-final stage, he still finished top scorer for the series with 1-24.
His goal in the semi-final was another thing of beauty.
Testament to his enduring qualities is the fact that this is the seventh year in a row that he has finished as top gun in the Monaghan championship, surely a record.
