PREVIEW: Dublin v Monaghan- Allianz Football League

Thu, 25th January 2024

Image courtesy Paul Lundy

By Conor Martin

The wait for a return to competitive football is over this weekend, as Dublin mark their return to the top-tier of the Allianz Football League under the Saturday night Croke Park lights as we take on Monaghan (7.30pm- live on TG4)

Match tickets are available here.

See information regarding Mobile ticket access to Croke Park here.

As fate would have it, we begin the league season against the county that relegated us from Division 1 of the Allianz Football League on the final day of the 2022 league season in agonising fashion, as we lost by just a point.

Monaghan have had the better of Dublin in recent league encounters and on Saturday we go in search of our first league win over the Farney men since 2017.

Dublin were well tested during pre-season, as a mixture of new and old faces helped us overcome the challenges of Offaly and Wexford before we eventually missed out on the chance to end our warm-up to the league with some silverware as we lost to Longford in the O’Byrne Cup Final.

Despite the disappointment of losing out in the final, the O’Byrne Cup allowed some young blood to show what they could do. Killian McGinnis, Luke Breathnach and Brian O'Leary, along with Sean Lowry, all impressed during pre-season.

However, experience will be crucial and the likes of Brian Fenton and Cormac Costello could be available to help Dublin over the line.

Vinny Corey’s men put in a couple of good performances in pre-season in the Dr McKenna Cup.

Well-worked wins against Antrim and Fermanagh set up a semi-final where they took on Donegal but found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreline as they were well beaten.

David Garland, Stephen Mooney and Stephen O'Hanlon were all impressive for Monaghan and will be ones to watch should they make the pitch on Saturday.

The reliable Conor McManus has caused Dublin headaches in the past and will be looking to do so again this weekend. However, one big loss to the Monaghan panel is the imminent departure of Rory Beggan to America.

The impressive goalkeeper has earned a spot on the NFL’s International Player Pathway Programme. Should Beggan be in the Monaghan panel before he swaps Gaelic football for American football, then he’ll be looking to go out on a high.

Dublin on the other hand will be looking to spoil any sentimental send off and get the Allianz Football League campaign up and running with a win.

Those who can’t make it to Croke Park can catch the game live on TG4 from 7:30pm.

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