By Shaun Casey

LAST season’s gut-wrenching defeat at the hands of Inniskeen has been a pain that has stuck with Castleblayney for a whole 12 months. One point was the difference in the 2023 decider, and ‘Blayney have the opportunity to avenge that defeat this weekend against the same opposition.

That loss knocked Castleblayney into the Ulster Club Junior Championship series, which they ended up winning, but getting their hands back on the Monaghan Championship has been their main focus all season.

Kevin Moloney’s men won all five of their group stages games, including a five-point triumph over their arch-rivals in round three, and qualified for the final with an astonishing 5-27 to 0-7 win over Monaghan Harps.

“We’re under no illusions that this time last year we were in great form heading into the final too and we got stung,” recalled ‘Blayney attacker Niall Garland. “Last year was a real lesson for us because you really are only as good as your last game.

“Whenever push came to shove (in the final) we probably didn’t have answers. I know myself; I can’t wait for the game on Sunday because I had a nightmare this time last year and overall, we just weren’t good enough on the day.”

Last year, Castleblayney were hoping to pick up their seventh Monaghan title in a row but were ultimately pipped at the post. They have dominated hurling in the Farney County for the past decade and are hoping to pick up a 33rd county title on Sunday.

Taking on Inniskeen in a repeat of last year’s decider will offer an “added bite” to the contest, which is only a positive for Monaghan hurling.

“At the start of the year, the goal is always to win the championship, no matter who you come across,” added Garland.

“I suppose because it’s Inniskeen in the final, it has that added bite and I’d say someone from Inniskeen would say the exact same thing. It’s just because of that rivalry that we’ve had for as long as I’ve played senior hurling.

“It was always ourselves and Inniskeen and there’s always an extra bit to those games no matter if it’s league, round robin games or the championship final, there’s always that bit of an edge to it.

“I don’t know when the last time somebody outside of ‘Blayney or Inniskeen actually won the championship but at the end of the day, we’re just trying to win the championship, and we can’t get carried away with who we’re playing.

“We’re looking forward to get outing there. It’s one of those games now where we have everything to gain, we’re not going into it as county champions, Inniskeen have to deal with that mantle of being the defending champions.

“It’s great for Monaghan hurling because it’s the first time in a number of years that there’s a lot of hype around the final considering the outcome of last year so it’s going to lead to a great day.”