By Shaun Casey

IF recent history is anything to go by, then Monaghan could be in for a big season. Both Armagh and Dublin have shown the way in the past two years. Two teams that have competed in Division Two and gone on to win the All-Ireland later that summer.

Derry (2023) and Donegal (2024) earned promotion along with those two in the last two years and while the Sam Maguire Cup eluded them, both counties did finish their season with the Anglo Celt in the trophy cabinet.

At this moment in time, that’s where Monaghan’s focus will lie. If they can claim an Ulster title for the first time in 10 years and set it beside their Division Two league cup, then it’s a successful season for Gabriel Bannigan, no matter what the All-Ireland series brings.

Winning at Croke Park, coming back up the road with a cup sitting proudly at the front of the bus, there’s bound to be a really strong feel-good factor in Monaghan at the minute. Gaining promotion and winning the league were their main objectives this early in the season.

And they did it in style. Monaghan were the only National League winners from across the four divisions that actually topped the table so there’s no doubting that they were the best team in a seriously competitive Division Two this year.

They didn’t qualify with a 100 per cent record, having lost to Roscommon and Down, but gaining revenge on the Rossies on the biggest day was a sweet one for Monaghan. And with championship just three weeks away, they’ve had enough breathing space to enjoy it.

Dylan Byrne rose to national acclaim last weekend with a man of the match performance but for any diehard club viewers, the Magheracloone man’s immediate leap into the first team is no great shock.

He was in brilliant form for the Mitchell’s as they claimed the Intermediate Championship crown last season and he has certainly carried all that confidence into the county scene, where he has starred in his first year.

Some of the other lesser lights have been just as impressive, such as Micheál McCarville at midfield and attacker Andrew Woods. Aaron Carey also started against Roscommon and he’s another youngster making the breakthrough.

Then there’s the tried and trusted. There won’t be anything said about Rory Beggan that hasn’t been already, but the Scotstown man has shot the lights out and has made hay with the new two-point arc. His clubmate Darren Hughes is still there too.

Captain Mícheál Bannigan has stepped into that leadership role seamlessly while Conor McCarthy and Ryan McAnespie are old dogs for the hard road and their soaring runs from the half-back line is seriously effective.

Jack McCarron’s influence has been limited to the super-sub role and it’s a position he has embraced so far. Whether that’s a tactic Monaghan will continue for the championship remains to be seen, but it has certainly worked to date.

And so, it’s onto the championship. The next couple of weeks could make or break Monaghan’s season. A crack at the Ulster Championship and reaching the latter stages of the All-Ireland series will excite Bannigan’s crop.

The provincial campaign couldn’t really get off to a more difficult start for the Farney men. They await the winners of Derry and Donegal before taking part in a potential semi-final against either Down or Fermanagh.

Monaghan won’t fear anyone given their current form and will relish a day out against any of the All-Ireland front runners. Sam isn’t their immediate target, that’s Ulster, but don’t rule out a long summer for Bannigan and his men.