MONAGHAN DIDN’T PANIC when they were one point down with time and rain fast rushing down at Croke Park on Saturday.
And they won’t panic this week ahead of their All-Ireland SFC quarter-final… even if it is against Dublin.
Playing two intense Championship matches within a week of one another asks a major question of the ability of gaelic footballers to deal with fatigue. And when you take on perhaps the best-conditioned county on the island after going through extra-time on a heavy sod, the task shows no sign of getting anything but tougher.
“Ah here,” says Monaghan’s Darren Hughes when asked if the situation is fair on the Farney county, “you’re in an All-Ireland quarter-final; you’re not going to start complaining.
“It’s a great place to be. We’re in a good place; it’s our fault we didn’t win an Ulster final.”
He added: “Obviously, physically drained after it; it was a tough game. Kildare put it up to us and we had to battle back numerous times but we’ll forward and get the legs ready for next week.”
“A 13-day turnaround from the Ulster final was major, but a six-day turnaround is just about getting the bodies right. We didn’t really train for a week after the Ulster final. It was all about recovery so [now] it’s just about getting the physical shape back and mentally knowing what you’re coming up against.”
What they’re up against is a problem that sports science may not be able to pick apart as easily as it deals with lactic acid, but Hughes hints at a feeling that Monaghan are in bonus territory having finally ended that 84-year wait for Championship victory in Croke Park.
“Our target at the start of the year was to get back to Croke Park and we’re there. We’ll prepare ourselves as best as possible for it no matter who we’re playing.”
“[Dublin] are All-Ireland champions on merit and played some great football this year. They have great players and a great bench at their disposal. We’ll sit down and analyse tonight and get the legs ready as best possible for next week.”
No panic.
