THE Ulster semi-final against Derry might have come too soon for Ryan McAnespie, but he could feature against the Oak Leafs on Saturday after returning to the Farney fold.
The two-time Allstar nominee had relocated to Australia, and was expected to play football in America this summer, thus taking him out of the equation for Monaghan boss Vinny Corey.
However, since returning home at the end of April, McAnespie has played club games for Emyvale and featured in challenge matches for Monaghan during recent weeks.
Despite speculation suggesting he could play some part, the 27-year-old wasn’t involved in the Ulster Championship defeat to eventual champions Derry on April 29, but his availability is a significant boost as Corey prepares for the start of the county’s All-Ireland campaign.
Fate has brought them back together with the Oak Leafs, now under the charge of Ciaran Meenagh following Rory Gallagher’s exit in the days after Ulster final victory over Armagh – a result which saw them claim back-to-back provincial crowns for the first time in almost 50 years.
And Corey will be in no doubt about the size of the task his men face at Celtic Park on Saturday evening.
Having bagged a last-gasp Ulster Championship win over Tyrone at Healy Park two weeks earlier, Monaghan travelled back to Omagh determined to carry on the momentum that had also seen them save their Division One skins on the final day of the League.
But Derry came flying out of the blocks to leave the Farney chasing the game from start to finish, sharpshooter Shane McGuigan leading the way with nine points, while Conor McCluskey’s first half goal dampened hopes of a Monaghan revival.
This weekend sees the second weekend of action in Group Four of the All-Ireland Championship, after beleaguered Donegal got their campaign up and running with a five-point defeat of Clare in Ennis on Saturday.
Monaghan’s next game after Derry sees them welcome the Banner to Clones, before finishing the round-robin against the Tir Chonaill at a neutral venue.
