By Shaun Casey

CASTLEBLAYNEY regained their position as the top team in Monaghan and made up for last year’s devastating one-point defeat to Inniskeen with a convincing victory over the same opposition last Sunday afternoon.

Brian McGuigan and Thomas Hughes rattled off early goals to give ‘Blayney a foothold in the game as they flew out of the traps, while sharpshooter Niall Garland, Player of the Match on the day, finished with a personal haul of 0-11.

Kevin Moloney’s side, who were crowned the Ulster Junior champions last season following their defeat in the Monaghan final, were a comfortable 11 points ahead at half time and grew that gap to 15 by the time the full-time whistle sounded, winning 2-20 to 0-11.

“Every club sets out to win the championship at the start of the year and it’s nice to get the trophy back,” said Moloney. “It wasn’t about revenge for last year or anything like that, it was about making sure we performed and showed what we’re about.

“We knew we let ourselves down last year, so it was about righting that wrong more than anything. Records are there to be broken and things happen but fulfilling our potential is the one goal we have.”

‘Blayney collected their seventh title in eight years and Moloney paid tribute to their forward line, which was led by Monaghan attacker Garland on the day.

“Niall has been showing super form at training, he’s really been chomping at the bit,” added Moloney.

“I think he grabbed five points from play. We expect him to score the placed balls, that’s part of his brief, but to get those but five points from play is very impressive.

“His movement, his work rate, his touch, he’s been working very hard all year to get himself where he is now.

“Hopefully his form continues. We have plenty of experience in the forward line with the likes of Brian McGuigan, Brian is closer to 40 than he is 20 and we have great experience all around the field and players with county experience too.

“We have other fellas that have been chomping at the bit too. Injuries kept four or five fellas on the sideline who potentially could have started so if we can get those cleared up in the next few weeks it’ll be great but sometimes these things are long term.”