Corey dropped two big names, switched players positions, and nullified Derry’s midfield.
Vinny Corey took a calculated gamble and it paid off for Monaghan, as his decisions to drop both Conor McManus and Jack McCarron proved to be the right call.
McManus is arguably the greatest forward that Ulster football has produced in the last decade, while McCarron has more talent in his left leg than most forwards have in both, but for their match against Derry, they were relegated to the bench.
Derry embarrassed Monaghan in the Ulster semi-final, dragging their players out of position and cutting through them with relative ease, brushing them aside to reach the final.
Corey clearly rewatched, revised and restructured his game plan since then – chose to go for a team full of athleticism rather than flair, and met Derry at their own game.
They pressed really high up on the Oakleaf county, they ran from deep, tracked all of their runners, and matched them with for intensity.
Derry drew first blood when Ciaran McFaul struck the opening score, being named as a late replacement for Benny Heron after his penalty heroics against Armagh.
Shane McGuigan is the in-form striker in the country right now, but his team were far too reliant on him at times to kick the scores.
Gary Mohan got his first start in the championship for Monaghan and was fantastic, bringing real power, energy, and stature to the midfield although he had number 14 on his back.
The third brave call by Corey was playing Conor McCarthy in half back, a player who once scored a hat-trick of goals up front when playing Donegal.
Having McCarthy start his attacks from deep made him a real threat going forward, especially with his pace, and he managed to kick two points from that position.
Outside of McGuigan, Derry couldn’t get seem to get scores, as the other forwards were unable to pitch in, although the introduction of Lachlan Murray had an immediate impact as he scored within minutes of coming on.
Rory Beggan played a pivotal role, kicking some massive scores from dead ball positions. Marc O’Se said on punditry that he looked unconfident, well he certainly proved the Kerryman wrong with some excellent scores under pressure.
Ultimately the day belonged to Shane McGuigan who has banished any arguments that he doesnt belong at the very top of the game, alongside David Clifford, Damien Comer, Darren McCurry and Shane Walsh – he is the real deal, and his nine points, including an incredible free at the death that looked to win it, proves that.
Karl O’Connell dimmed McGuigan’s spotlight somewhat by kicking an incredible equaliser with the last attack of the game, and securing a draw for Monaghan that many didn’t think they were capable of getting.
Related links:
- Roscommon legend questions Ethan Rafferty’s role as sweeper keeper
- Conor Turbitt responds to being dropped with late goal to beat Westmeath
- Why Shane McGuigan is on the cusp of becoming one of the country’s best forwards
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