Paul Finlay calls for patience with a new-look Monaghan squad as Cork return to an unhappy hunting ground

As Cork head for Inniskeen, it will trigger memories of an unhappy hunting ground of late, for Grattan Park is the site of their Championship swansong just last year.

The Rebels will be quick to remind you it was a Louth team in question at the south Monaghan ground, and the gurus among them will point out that Cork have beaten Monaghan in every encounter since 2009.

Having helped take down what were perennial All-Ireland contenders at the time, the national papers labelled Paul Finlay ‘majestic’ on that occasion in Scotstown.

And the Ballybay man has thrown his weight behind a newfound optimism in The Drumlin County, after a 2024 that saw just two wins across League and Championship:

“It’s great to see these young lads all getting a chance, and that’s what Gabriel Bannigan is doing. Maybe that’s been what’s needed this season, new blood.

“Dylan (Byrne) has done really well. The full-back line as a whole had a tough afternoon ( v Roscommon) with Diarmuid Murtagh in such fine form, kicking 0-12, even without Enda Smith and Daire Cregg.

“That would be a concern, but looking at the game you can see Dylan has loads of confidence, he’s willing to use the kickpass wherever he can, he was just having a go.

“You can see they’re being told to go out and just go after the game and express themselves.

“It’s been a good start for these guys, but bearing with them and not being too judgmental two or three games into the season… I don’t think any of them deserve to be judged on a couple of games.”

Chris Óg Jones is the talk of the Division after his 3-4 for Cork last weekend, and indeed he could even have grabbed five majors in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Iveleary clubman has an astonishing 5-8 from play to date. Although Monaghan are the only side across the four Divisions to break the 80 point mark in attack, they have averaged a concession of exactly 24 scores a game.

Finlay, who retired from Monaghan duty in 2016, is confident his clubmate and former Monaghan captain Ryan Wylie is up to the task if called upon:

“Ryan’s experienced enough to take on any task now at this stage. He’s been our go to man for man-marking for many a year now.

“He has a bit of help, Ryan O’Toole can be given a man-marking job, Killian Lavelle as well.

“It’s going to be a big task, but I’m sure Monaghan are spending a good bit of their time this week focusing on how they’re going to curb his talents, and also runners coming from deep.

“Conor Hand from Roscommon sliced through for two or three points and they were costly enough. You could see Ruairí Deane maybe having the same impact for Cork.

“Hopefully from our point of view we use our home advantage, that’s a big thing in the National League and it always has been, not just with new rules.

“You’d be hoping to make that count and come out with a win.”

The aforementioned Deane is one of a number of Cork returnees, with towering midfielder Ian Maguire expected to throw his weight around the middle from the off.

Castlehaven’s Conor Cahalane has committed to the big ball rather than the small one, but is believed to be just off the pace.

Stephen Sherlock has opted to take a year out, while Seán Powter and corner-back Maurice Shanley look set to miss out in Inniskeen due to injury.

For Monaghan, Darren Hughes returned last week, with Karl O’Connell and Gary Mohan believed to be nearing a return having yet to feature in 2025.

Michael Hamill and Dessie Ward are long term injuries, with Stephen O’Hanlon’s situation a little more unclear after a hamstring issue.