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17th Jul 2021

Séamus McEnaney gives emotional interview after Monaghan beat Armagh in championship thriller

Lee Costello

Armagh 2-21  4-17 Monaghan

In a game that resembled the scoreline more commonly found in hurling, Monaghan just nicked it ahead of Armagh to secure their spot in the Ulster Championship final.

It’s been an extremely trying to for The Farney county as they suffered two devastating losses in their community in the past week.

Monaghan manager, Séamus McEnaney, was understandably very emotional at full time.

“It’s very emotional, it’s been a tough week. We lost our minor captain last night in a car accident.

“We lost our main sponsor and biggest supporter, Phillip Traynor, last week. We had to put aside our emotions and feelings to prepare for today’s game.

“We talked about it in our team meeting, but my feeling is devastation to be honest, for Óg Duffy’s family, and Phillip Traynor’s family.

“It has been one of the toughest weeks in our lives, this result means a lot to Monaghan football. It has huge importance to this group.

“We have worked tirelessly to get to where we are today, we have had a tough 18 months with COVID, the country had.

“but our lads stuck to it and with our backs to the wall, a point down with five or six minutes to go and leaders stepped up.

“We don’t have to make leaders, we have them and they’re in our dressing room, I’m really proud of the lads, we set it aside and we can go back to the unfortunate incident of last night.

“But my feeling is delight for this group of players now, I’m absolutely delighted for this group and it’s a step forward for us.”

 

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