By Shaun Casey

MONAGHAN are well in the promotion shake up says former attacker Gavin Doogan as they welcome Cork to Inniskeen this weekend.

Gabriel Bannigan’s men tasted defeat for the first time under his watch last Sunday, losing out to table-toppers Roscommon.

But an immediate return to top tier football is well within their grasp says the Magheracloone clubman, although Monaghan’s recent history with the Rebel County wouldn’t exactly instill their supporters with confidence.

While 2016 was the last time the counties actually crossed paths, Cork have won all five of their most recent dealings with Monaghan, including the 2009 Division Two final. Monaghan haven’t beaten Cork since that 2009 league campaign.

“If you look at Division Two, there’s probably four or five teams that would all have their hands up for promotion,” said Doogan. “I don’t think Monaghan have actually beat Cork in a while, ’09 was the last time.

“I know anytime we would have played them it was always difficult but getting them at Inniskeen will help. Monaghan had a tough game against Roscommon but they’re back in Inniskeen and they’re blooding in some really good players.

“If they could get a result this weekend, it would push them back up to the right end of the table. They’re second there at the minute so another win would be brilliant for them,”

Doogan has been impressed with the Farney County so far in the season and hopes they can return to the top tier.

“It’s been a very positive start for them,” he added. “I was at the Cavan and Westmeath games; I didn’t get to the Roscommon match but I’m very impressed with them. Their attitude on the pitch against Westmeath was exceptional.

“Everyone was constantly looking to get on the ball, and they were looking to get up the field and get scores. They kicked 2-29 that day and 2-22 against Cavan and they seem to have a real scoring threat.

“They have David Garland there who is playing great stuff. Young Michael Hamill seems to be out with an injury which is unfortunate because he’s flying but they seem to be in a good place in Division Two.

“I know they were in Division One for so many years but they’re having a good run at it and promotion will probably be in their sights which would set them up nicely for a really tight Ulster campaign.”