Monaghan midfielder Dick Clerkin says getting used to being a substitute is something he is still getting used to.
The veteran came on a sub in the battling victory over Cavan in the Ulster Championship on Sunday on 50 minutes and told Off The Ball that it is difficult for him to become accustomed to.
"I'm not a good sub and I'll be sort of shouting and talking to the lads beside me. It's difficult, you know, when you get to this stage. That transition from being a regular starter to taking time on the bench, you sort of have to get used to that, warming up and coming in - or not - it takes a while to get used to because last year I was a starter all year," said the 33-year-old.
But as our own Colm Parkinson put it to him, he has been having a positive influence on games once he comes on, with Clerkin responding: "I'm definitely dealing with it a lot better than I was a couple of years when there was that frustration - and understandable frustration - but it's the sign of a good panel and that's just the reality of where you're at that you're coming in and you're trying to do everything, trying to get on every ball, rushing in and making rash challenges and not playing with that level of composure. But I suppose in the last couple of years, I realise that every year and every game I play now is a bonus. I'm in bonus territory now. I'm 16 years playing and I've been very lucky with injury, even though this year they're starting to rear the ugly head. I'm just enjoying it, so whatever that is - whether it's a start or a place on the bench, I'm just enjoying it."
Clerkin also spoke about his frustration at the way narratives about Ulster football and the game can see the negative side "grossly over-stated".
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