Colm Shalvey reports
Monaghan put their All-Ireland SFC hopes on the line when they travel to Castlebar for a first-round qualifier this Saturday. It’s as challenging a draw as it could have been for Monaghan, handing them a first-ever SFC meeting with Mayo, although it could be what they needed to refocus the minds after the disappointment of the Ulster semi-final loss to Derry, who of course went on to end their 24-year wait for a provincial title last Sunday.
While this is a first championship meeting between the counties, these teams will be very familiar with each other from having crossed paths regularly in recent years. Monaghan have picked up a few wins in those games, with eight of the starting team from the Derry game also having started in a 2017 victory in Castlebar.
A depleted Mayo side took full points from their trip to Clones earlier this year, however, highlighting how the depth of their panel is the envy of almost every county. Mayo, who haven’t played a competitive game since late April when Galway ended their bid for a third consecutive Connacht title, are reportedly facing a lengthy injury list.
