By Niall McCoy

1: 2013 ULSTER TITLE

DONEGAL were huge favourites to become only the fourth Ulster county to win three Ulster titles in-a-row after Cavan, Down and Armagh, but they were overwhelmed by a pumped up Monaghan who ensured that the Anglo Celt didn’t have to travel too far from Clones for the first time since 1988.

Malachy O’Rourke’s side were 7/1 in some places heading into the game, and Joe Brolly said in the Gaelic Life beforehand that Conor McManus would be lucky to get a shot off. As it was, the Clontibret ace didn’t actually score from play, but Monaghan still prevailed 0-13 to on 0-7 on a magic afternoon at St Tiernach’s Park.

Monaghan laid down a marker from the start, racing into a five-point lead – Padraig Donaghy scoring the best of those – with Donegal having to wait until the 32nd minute to get off the mark through Colm McFadden.

They grabbed a second before the interval to trail by just three points, but Monaghan started the second half well with Kieran Hughes taking control and landing three points having had an effort cleared off the line just before that.

With Monaghan defending like demons, the underdogs comfortably prevailed to spark wild scenes.

2: APPOINTMENT OF MALACHY O’ROURKE

WHEN Monaghan GAA announced on September 10, 2012 that Malachy O’Rourke was their new manager, it didn’t generate any massive headlines.

The county had been relegated to Division Three a few months earlier while their championship season ended against Laois in round two of the Qualifiers.

Between 2013 and 2019, when he stepped down after a Qualifier defeat to Armagh, O’Rourke oversaw a golden period for Monaghan football.

Two Ulster titles, a first All-Ireland semi-final appearance in 30 years, which they lost by a point to Tyrone, and back-to-back promotions to take the county from the third tier in 2013 to Division One in 2015 followed. They stayed there for the rest of O’Rourke’s time in charge.

3: 2015 ULSTER TITLE

WHILE the 2013 Ulster win was viewed as David pulling a fast one on Goliath, by 2015 Monaghan were considered a much more serious proposition.

They had finished third in Division One and lost out to Dublin by a point in the semi-final. One point was also the margin in their Ulster opener against Cavan, although Malachy O’Rourke’s side were on the right side of it this time. A thumping of Fermanagh secured a final meeting against Donegal.

Monaghan were no longer viewed as the plucky underdog, and they were aiming for a bit of revenge having lost the 2014 Ulster final to the Tir Chonaill county.

With Conor McManus on red-hot form, they secured a second provincial title in three seasons. The Oriel powerplay came in the 10 minutes before the break as they hit five points to lead 0-8 to 0-4.

Donegal’s shooting was well below the required standard in the third quarter, but Paddy McBrearty’s frees were bringing them back into the contest.

They were three behind with 10 minutes to go and although Monaghan failed to score in the final 23 minutes, Donegal fell to a 0-11 to 0-10 loss.

4: BACK IN THE SEMI-FINAL

IN 2018, it seemed that the entire county had decamped to Galway for a crucial ‘Super 8’ group game. The Oriel county knew that they needed to avoid defeat in Salthill to secure a first All-Ireland semi-final appearance in 30 years, dumping Kerry out in the process.

In beautiful sunshine, a very vocal Monaghan support watched their side perform well and they led 0-7 to 0-5 at the break despite playing into the breeze.

Playing with confidence, Monaghan continued to pull away and when Rory Beggan landed a long-range free with 11 minutes remaining, they were seven points clear.

Despite red cards for Colin Walshe and Drew Wylie – Galway’s Damien Comer was also sent to the line – Ryan McAnespie’s late sliced effort secured a 0-16 to 0-8 win and a blue-and-white pitch invasion.

5: BEATING TYRONE IN OMAGH

THE 2018 Ulster Championship draw put two heavyweights together as Monaghan were drawn to face Tyrone at Healy Park.

The neighbouring counties had developed a feisty rivalry – and it would be the first of two meetings that season – so there was a lot of anticipation around the Omagh clash.

On a rainy day, the holders were just ahead coming up to the break before Vinny Corey completed a good team move to send Monaghan ahead with Drew Wylie following up with a point to give the visitors a 1-7 to 0-8 half-time lead.

With the wind at their backs, Monaghan were able to maintain the lead and the day was rounded off with an incredible Conor McManus point late on when his boots were nearly picking up chalk from the sideline.

Michael McKernan did grab a late goal for Tyrone, who also had Peter Harte dismissed, but Monaghan were worthy 1-18 to 1-16 victors.

6: HAMMERING THE ORCHARD COUNTY

The 2010 Ulster meeting of Monaghan and Armagh was unforgettable for a number of reasons.

One of those was that Darren Hughes actually started in goals after Shane Duffy got injured. Sean Gorman, the other ‘keeper on the squad, quit over the decision.

It was a risky move by Seamus McEnaney but it would pay off handsomely as Monaghan completely dismantled their opponents.

The Orchard county were favourites and all the buzz was about a certain Jamie Clarke who had made a starring cameo against Derry in the previous round on his debut.

The then Crossmaglen man grabbed his first score of the day after 10 minutes to move Armagh 0-4 to 0-1 ahead, and it seemed like all was going to plan at Casement Park.

Tommy Freeman’s goal sparked Monaghan into life though and the Orchard county’s cause wasn’t helped when Brian Mallon was sent off just before the break.

Monaghan were three ahead by that stage and the momentum had clearly swung their way, and they kept it in their court in the second period as they ran riot.

Freeman, Paul Finlay, Ciaran Hanratty and Vinny Corey all scored in the opening minutes of the second half and their opponents only managed three points after the break as Monaghan cantered to a 1-18 to 0-9 win.

7:  A FAMOUS WIN OVER DUBLIN

MONAGHAN’S 2-12 to 0-17 win over Dublin in 2018 was their first over the Leinster side since 2006, and their first victory over them ever at Croke Park.

Dublin had started the stronger and led by two points before Vinny Corey raced through and netted at the Hill 16 end. The sides would go in level at the break.

The second half continued in a tit-for-tat manner as Monaghan constantly responded every time Dublin edged ahead. And they took the lead late on when Jack McCarron lobbed the ball to the net.

Philly McMahon was sent off for Dublin but Brian Howard equalised to seemingly earn a draw, but there would be one last twist and Fintan Kelly kicked a brilliant winner.

8: DIVISION TWO CHAMPIONS

MONAGHAN were promoted to Division Two in 2013, and they made it back-to-back promotions and claimed the Division Two title in 2014.

They lost just once in the group stages, to Donegal, while a hammering of Meath was a real highlight. They also beat Armagh well at the Athletic Grounds.

The final saw them come up against the Tir Chonaill county once again, a side they have a fairly good record against, including the previous season’s Ulster final.

Five points in-a-row in the first half gave them a cushion, and they led by three points at half time in Croke Park.

Donegal lost Rory Kavanagh to a red card in a bizarre incident but for the next spell it was the 14 men who played the better football and Michael Murphy’s penalty brought them right back into it.

Kieran Hughes’s goal gave Monaghan their composure back though and they won 1-16 to 1-10 to lift the title.

9: DOUBLING THE ALL-STAR HAUL

WHILE it’s not a moment per se, between 2013 and ’18 Monaghan saw their All-Star tally almost double from seven to 13. Unsurprisingly Conor McManus had led the way with awards in 2013, ’15 and ’18. The Clontibret man has undoubtedly been one of the GAA’s top stars over the decade.

At the other end of the pitch, Rory Beggan finally was honoured in 2018. The Scotstown man and Dublin’s Stephen Cluxton have been the goalkeeping stars of the last decade, although they have only managed four awards between them since 2010.

Monaghan’s first Ulster title since 1988 also saw Colin Walshe recognised in 2013. The Doohamlet man proved himself as a tigerish defender, and also a player who liked to get up the field.

And when it comes to stylish defenders, Karl O’Connell is up there with the best of him and his fantastic 2018 season saw him collect an All-Star.

10: LEAVING TRALEE WITH THE POINTS

MONAGHAN marked their return to Division One in 2015 with an impressive league win away to Kerry in round six.

The side had already defeated Ulster rivals Tyrone, Donegal and Derry by that stage, but it was still an eye-catching result against the All-Ireland holders.

It was the Kingdom who performed best in the first half and they led 0-7 to 0-4 after 35 minutes but Monaghan held them scoreless for 24 minutes and Owen Duffy’s goal powered them to the two points that ultimately secured them a semi-final spot.