National Football League Division One: Monaghan v Kerry (Inniskeen, today, 2pm)
FOUR places but just two points separate Monaghan (sixth) from second-placed Kerry in the table and, with Meath at home in their final game, the Farneymen can push their way into the title mix with victory on home soil tomorrow.
Of course, victories don't come easy against a side looking to defend their National League title but experienced campaigners Monaghan have responded well to new manager Seamus McEnaney since he returned for a second spell after Malachy O'Rourke's departure at the end of last season.
'Banty's' men started with a one-point loss against Galway in Salthill but bounced back very impressively by beating Tyrone and then drawing with Dublin in Croke Park. They hammered Mayo in their next outing so it was a surprise that they were so well beaten (by 10 points) by Donegal in round five.
Conor McManus has, as you would expect, led the way with 1-20 from five games while Scotstown forward Conor McCarthy has contributed 1-10 to the cause, including 1-3 against Mayo. McCarthy and the Hughes brothers, Kieran and fit-again Darren, were in terrific form as their 'An Bhoth' club won the county championship this year.
Jack McCarron had also been working well with McManus up front in the early stages of the League but unfortunately his promising season has been cut short by injury and McEnaney will look to the likes of Ryan McAnespie and Shane Carey to fill the gap.
The Monaghan manager can rely on scores from throughout his side - corner-back Colm Boyle has scored in the last four games.
Monaghan were two-point winners last time they welcomed the Kingdom to Grattan Park - a McManus penalty sealed a 1-13 to 0-14 win - in a typically intense battle between these counties.
Last year the sides gave an exhibition of long-range point-taking and racked up 30 between them in Killarney. Monaghan led until late in the game but the Kingdom won by four points.
Throughout that clash Monaghan looked to get McManus (0-8) on the ball as often as possible and they'll do the same today. Meanwhile, Kerry kicked long and high towards Tommy Walsh who landed four points for the Kingdom.
Walsh wasn't a regular starter earlier in the year but when it comes to forward options, Kerry are second only to Dublin. In David Clifford, Sean O'Shea and Paul Geaney manager Peter Keane has a forward line capable of cutting any defence to shreds and Clifford (2-21) and O'Shea (1-21) have been their leading marksmen this year.
The good news for manager Keane is that Peter Crowley is fit again and in line to make his first appearance in 19 months after he had been sidelined by a cruciate ligament injury. Allstar midfielder David Moran, who hasn't featured in the county colours this season, is also available ahead of the trip to Inniskeen.
James O'Donoghue has been back in training following a spell out with injury and could also feature but midfielder Jack Barry has been ruled out.
Former Dublin star Bernard Brogan picked out Monaghan as a team that could thrive in 'winter football' and this is an opportunity for them to prove that. The Kerry players have the edge in flair but they'll travel up in their own cars because of Covid concerns and that isn't ideal. Although they'll already have an eye on Cavan in the Championship, the Farneymen get the nod to win a tight game on a heavy pitch.
