Two-time Ulster Championship winner and BBC pundit Conor McManus explains why, despite a successful Division Two campaign, Monaghan must improve to take down All-Ireland contenders Donegal in Sunday’s provincial quarter-final.
As a player, big championship games in Clones were occasions I really relished and Sunday’s tussle with Donegal will be no different for the current Monaghan panel.
Monaghan have seen this game coming for a long time. There was always a good chance of Donegal getting past Derry in the preliminary round and now Jim McGuinness’ side are preparing for their first trip back to Clones since winning the Ulster title last year.
For Monaghan, the challenge is real. Monaghan were very good in Division Two and won it comfortably, but they haven’t played a team of Donegal’s quality this year.
It’s a huge step-up for Monaghan but it’s a home game in Clones, the sun will likely be shining. As a Monaghan player, there is no place you’d rather be.
Scoring has been Monaghan’s strength this year. It’s well-documented but they have been averaging about 28 or 29 points and I’d imagine Donegal will have a fairly rigid defensive plan to counteract that.
The important thing for Monaghan is maintaining a high level of performance for the 70 minutes. In the league, patches of great play and scoring bursts served them well, but they will need to find another level to topple Donegal.
