By Shaun Casey

FOR the first time since 2014, Monaghan head into the new year plying their trade outside of Division One. Their luck finally ran out last season as their grip on the top tier came loose and they suffered relegation to Division Two.

With a new management team in place, and the new Gaelic football playing rules introduced this year as well, it feels like the Farney County are starting afresh. While 2025 is only a couple of days old, Gabriel Bannigan already has a win under his belt.

Bannigan takes over from Vinny Corey, who guided Monaghan to an All-Ireland semi-final just two years ago, and his management team is made up of two-time All-Star Andy Moran, former Monaghan star Damien Freeman and John McElhome.

Monaghan made the journey to Castlebar last weekend to lock horns with Mayo in a challenge game and came away with a two-point win. A mixture of fresh faces and experienced heads got game-time and minutes into the legs.

Rory Beggan is one of those players that has been around a long time now and remains one of the best goalkeepers in the country. How much his game will differ under the new rules is something that everyone will be keeping an eye on.

He’s no stranger to joining the attack and slotting over the odd score from play when the opportunity presents itself, so the new ‘keeper rule, where they can only receive a pass in the attacking half of the field, should suit the Scotstown shot stopper down to the ground.

Kieran Duffy and Ryan McAnespie, along with Ryan Wylie, were others that have been around the block and they started against the Westerners while Jack McCarron and Conor McCarthy were on the sideline.

Positive news emerged earlier in the week that stalwarts Darren Hughes and Karl O’Connell are back for another season, though there is still uncertainty about the availability of Conor McManus.

But like every team ahead of the league, Bannigan will be hoping to bleed through one or two newbies that will boost the squad depth and push for a starting berth. One of those recent additions is Magheracloone defender Dylan Byrne, who slotted in at corner-back.

Clubmates Paudie McMahon and Packie Doogan-Burke both earned Club All-Star awards and county call-ups after a great run with the Mitchell’s while Dean McDonnell of Clontibret impressed during the club championship as well and is part of Bannigan’s squad.

Then there’s the younger crew that have been around the panel for a few years but should be ready to become key men in the starting lineup. Sean Jones has the potential to be a real score-getter in the new 3v3 attacking structure.

Shane Hanratty, Aaron Mulligan, Stephen Mooney, Andrew Woods and Jason Irwin are others that will hope to make the step up and become permanent fixtures in the first 15 in the coming weeks and months.

Monaghan’s main goal will be to get out of Division Two and head back to top flight football for 2026, preferably as league champions, but there’s certainly nothing to be taken for granted in Division Two this year.

A number of teams will be eyeing up the same ambition as Monaghan and it’s going to be a real challenge to secure one of those top two berths, although that’s maybe where Monaghan’s battle-hardened experience will stand to them.

There is of course a nice parochial feel to Division Two as well and a mini-Ulster series will undoubtedly keep the northern province entertained. Monaghan will face local clashes against Cavan and Down in the National League.

It’s the Breffni Blues up first for Bannigan and his crew and Monaghan need no reminding of the last time they faced their old foes. That was in the opening round of the Ulster Championship last season and ended in a six-point defeat.

While Monaghan actually made it further than their near neighbours in the All-Ireland series, reaching the preliminary quarter-finals while Cavan didn’t make it out of the group, that loss way back in early April will still hurt.

Following that first round tie, the Oriel County will enjoy home comforts for the first time in round two when they welcome last season’s Division Three winners Westmeath, who will be without the recently retired John Heslin, to St Tiernach’s Park, Clones.

An away journey to Roscommon, who were relegated last season alongside Monaghan, awaits in round three before Cork come calling in round four, with Inniskeen the scene for that particular battle.

It’s a tough final few rounds for Monaghan as the league runs into its crunch period. Back-to-back away tests against Leinster opposition in Louth and Meath could well end up defining their campaign.

Monaghan finish the league the same way they started, with a good old fashioned Ulster derby. They will boast home advantage against Down, managed by former Monaghan coach Conor Laverty, and another interesting encounter is expected.

When all is said and done in the league, Monaghan’s championship prospects certainly aren’t any easier as they will face Division One opposition in the opening round. They await the winners of the preliminary round tie between Donegal and Derry.

This year marks the ten-year anniversary of the last time the Anglo Celt Cup travelled to Monaghan so you can be sure the older heads in that dressing room, and the younger folk, would love another Ulster medal.

It’s the only provincial series that really matters anymore of course and is extremely difficult to win but it’s silverware that Monaghan will surely have their eye set on once the championship season comes rolling round.

Over the past two years, the eventual All-Ireland winners in Dublin and Armagh both spent their winter months in Division Two, so perhaps that’s a good omen for Division Two teams. Maybe that’s a step too far for Monaghan, but never say never.

NFL target

Monaghan have to be targeting a return to Division One football by the end of the National League. If they don’t bounce back straight away, then the task gets tougher with each passing year, but they look to be one of the favourites for the Division Two title.

SFC target

Their Ulster Championship campaign begins with a bang against either Donegal or Derry. If they can manage to get over that hurdle, then an Ulster final is within range and Monaghan certainly have the quality and experience to challenge for the Anglo Celt.