So far in our efforts to pick the Mount Rushmore of greatest sportspeople in each county, we've managed a fair amount of controversy - Monaghan could be another to start debate.
There's certainly a bit of pressure picking a Mount Rushmore for County Monaghan - we're a small county in size, but the impact of Farney folk on the national and international sporting stage has been immense.
We've already had the picks for counties Mayo, Cork, and Offaly - and with Ulster the next province in line, it falls on me to pick Monaghan's greatest on OTB AM tomorrow morning.
I've attempted a long-list of names, all of whom could stake a claim to sit on our white and blue Mount Rushmore in the Bragan Mountains - wish me luck as I narrow these down to four tomorrow!
RUGBY - Tommy Bowe
You can't help but scream his name in Ryle Nugent's voice.
Monaghan wouldn't be known as a rugby stronghold necessarily, but Bowe's background was also steeped in gaelic football and athletics. He played GAA with his local Emyvale club and also ran with the Glaslough Harriers athletics club.
Although he lined out for the county gaelic football teams at underage level, rugby beckoned - and a career that led him to Ulster, Ospreys, Ireland, and the Lions.
He made his senior international bow against the USA in the 2004 Autumn Internationals, scoring a second-half try and becoming the first Monaghan person to win a cap since the 1920s.
He was of course heavily involved in that Grand Slam-winning side in 2009, picking up the ball after Ronan O'Gara's chip against Wales, before outpacing Shane Williams and scoring a famous try that helped Ireland move from 7-6 ahead to 14-6 up.
WHAT. A. MOMENT.
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RACING - Oliver Brady
The racehorse trainer, who passed away in 2014 aged 75, was one of the more flamboyant characters around the course.
Often seen sporting his Monaghan GAA jersey, Brady's horses had a number of Grade 2 wins, but he ultimately fell short in his dream of handling a Cheltenham winner. Baron De Feypo came closest for him with a Coral Cup third-placed finish in 2007.
He was well known for his shouts of 'Up Monaghan' in winners' enclosures across the country, and when he passed away his coffin was draped in a Monaghan flag before he was laid to rest in his native Ballybay.
His Shabra Charity Foundation continues to do great work to this day - from building schools in Kenya, to funding life-saving equipment for the Mater hospital.
14 March 2007; Oliver Brady, trainer of Baron de Feypo, eventual third, celebrates wearing a Monaghan football jersey after the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle. Cheltenham Racing Festival, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, England. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE===
GAELIC FOOTBALL - Eugene 'Nudie' Hughes
The Castleblayney clubman is unquestionably one of the greats in the annals of Monaghan GAA.
A three-time All Star in 1979, 1985 and 1988 - he was the first Monaghan player to earn such recognition. 'Nudie' was involved in a hugely successful Farney outfit of that period, winning Ulster titles on three occasions, as well as Monaghan's only ever National League Division One triumph in 1985.
He also tasted Ulster senior club success twice with Castleblayney Faughs, and these days contributes to almost every Monaghan match as a co-commentator on local Northern Sound radio.
11 August 1985; Eugene Hughes, Monaghan. All-Ireland Football semi-final, Kerry v Monaghan, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit; Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE===
ALL-ROUNDER - James Cecil Parke
It would be easier to list the sports Parke (1881-1946) didn't play.
A talented Clones man, he lined out 20 times for the Irish rugby team, was one of the top tennis players of his day, represented Ireland in golf, was a top track-and-field sprinter, cricketer, and chess player.
He won the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles title in 1914, and a depleted Australian Open in singles in 1914.
Did I mention he was an Olympic silver medalist? Yep, he came second in the Men's Doubles of 1908.
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SOCCER - Jonathan Douglas
Douglas remains the only Monaghan man to have lined out for the senior Republic of Ireland team, having made his debut against Poland in 2004.
The Clones midfielder has eked out a good living at club level - playing in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers before other successful spells, including at Leeds United and Brentford.
Douglas was a regular fixture in Steve Staunton's Irish squads, while he made his competitive international debut in a EURO 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic in 2006.
11 October 2006; Tomas Rosicky, Czech Republic, in action against Jonathan Douglas, Republic of Ireland. Euro 2008 Championship Qualifier, Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE===
GAELIC FOOTBALL - Brenda McAnespie
Anyone who watched the recent TG4 'Laochra Gael' documentary that focused on Brenda McAnespie will know just how impressive she is.
The Emyvale woman was part of Monaghan's All-Ireland senior back-to-back winning teams in 1996 and 1997, winning two of her three All Stars on the half-back line for her performances in both of those campaigns.
She played in the 1997 All-Ireland decider while 14 weeks pregnant, and she went on to line out with two of her daughters when Emyvale lifted the All-Ireland intermediate club title in 2008.
Brenda is also the mother of current Monaghan men's star Ryan McAnespie.
18 February 2020; The definitive GAA sports series Laochra Gael returns to TG4 this spring for an 18th series. The series features six Laochra with genuine star quality and reveals deeper, fresh and sometimes unexpected insights into the lives of these icons. While their sporting careers continue to provide the backdrop to the story, the series travels well beyond the four white lines. This season features, Kieran Donaghy, Diarmuid Lyng, Alan Brogan, Iggy Clarke, David Brady and Brendan McAnespie and starts on the 5th Match 2020 at 9.30pm. In attendance at the launch of TG4's new series of Laochra Gael at Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield, Dublin is Brenda McAnespie of Monaghan. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile===
BOXING - Barry McGuigan
The 'Clones Cyclone' became the WBA and lineal world featherweight champion in 1985 with a stunning victory over Panama's Eusebio Pedroza in London.
McGuigan won a unanimous fifteen-round decision, and the scenes in both Belfast and his hometown of Clones on his return are legendary.
He is now a promoter and an inductee to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. But, more importantly, he has a park in Clones named in his honour.
10 June 1985; Barry McGuigan, centre, pictured during his homecoming in Clones, Co. Monaghan. Boxing. Picture credit; Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE===
GAELIC FOOTBALL - Seamus 'Banty' McEnaney
It's hard to discount what 'Banty' did for Monaghan football in his first spell in charge of the senior team.
He led Monaghan to a National League Division Two title in 2005 - a win that sparked a resurgence in Monaghan football that has continued to this day.
He never got to lift the Anglo-Celt trophy, losing Ulster finals to Tyrone in 2007 and 2010, but there's no doubt the Corduff man paved the way for Malachy O'Rourke's success that was to come.
He is also the man who replaced O'Rourke in the job and will lead Monaghan into the Ulster championship when GAA action resumes. Banty's back, baby...
2 February 2020; Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney, left, and Tyrone manager Mickey Harte after the Allianz Football League Division 1 Round 2 match between Monaghan and Tyrone at St. Mary's Park in Castleblayney, Monaghan. Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile===
AMERICAN FOOTBALL - Pat Murray
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns player is currently a free agent, and made a name for himself at Fordham University in New York, where he was named an All-American kicker.
Although raised in Mahwah, New Jersey, Murray's father Aidan and uncle Ciaran both played gaelic football for Monaghan.
Murray spent his summers in Monaghan as a youth kicking gaelic footballs, and he continues to follow all things Monaghan GAA to this day.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Patrick Murray (7) watches his third-quarter field goal through the uprights against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014. Washington won, 24-10. (Photo by Brendan Fitterer/Tampa Bay Times/MCT/Sipa USA)===
SOCCER - John McKenna
Did you know Liverpool's first manager was a Monaghan man? You do now!
'Honest John' as he was known was born in Glaslough in north Monaghan in 1855 - ultimately moving to Liverpool, where me met the founder of Liverpool Football Club, John Houlding.
McKenna also served as the Anfield club's secretary and chairman, before becoming President of the Football League in 1917 - a position he held for 20 years.
A plaque commemmorating McKenna sits in the Anfield foyer to this day.
John McKenna, Liverpool Vice-Chairman===
GAELIC FOOTBALL - Conor McManus
The Clontibret man may be still playing, but he has already contributed a lot to Monaghan football. He helped Malachy O'Rourke's side to Ulster title wins in 2013 and 2015 - breaking a duck that stretched back to 1988.
McManus has also, like 'Nudie' Hughes, picked up three All Stars to date, and would likely walk into any forward line in the country.
McManus scored 2-47 across nine championship games as Monaghan reached an All-Ireland semi-final in 2018, while he has also excelled in representing Ireland in a number of International Rules squads.
19 July 2015; Monaghan captain Conor McManus celebrates with supporters on the field after the game. Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Final, Donegal v Monaghan, St Tiernach's Park, Clones, Co. Monaghan. Picture credit: Dáire Brennan / SPORTSFILE===
BOXING - Kevin McBride
The man who took down Mike Tyson.
Granted, it was Tyson's final ever fight in 2005, but that win marked a high-point of McBride's heavyweight career.
As an amateur McBride represented Ireland at the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992, while the 'Clones Colossus' ultimately retired with a professional record of 35 wins, 10 losses, and one draw.
Mike Tyson and Kevin McBride during the official weigh-in===
GAELIC FOOTBALL - Tommy Freeman
The Magheracloone man deserves mention alone because of his longevity - helping his club to an All-Ireland intermediate club final earlier this year at the age of 38.
The 2007 All Star so nearly helped Banty's men past Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final that year, while he hit 2-3 in the dramatic National League Division Two final win over Meath in 2005.
The 2013 Ulster win for Monaghan - in a 0-13 to 0-7 win over reigning All-Ireland champions Donegal - was capped by a point late on from Freeman in his final year in the county colours.
===
BOXING - The McKenna Brothers
The Smithborough pair are only starting out really in their professional careers, and so a place on the county's Mount Rushmore will likely have to wait.
However, Aaron and Stevie's achievements thus far are certainly worthy of a mention.
They are now under the wing of legendary Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, while they are signed up to Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.
===
GAELIC FOOTBALL - Paul Finlay
The Ballybay man served his county with distinction for many years, and earned two Ulster titles in 2013 and 2015.
Finlay's late father Kieran was a crucial member of the Monaghan teams of the 70s and 80s.
A silky, left-footed player and deadly with a placed ball, Finlay was also called up to represent Ireland in the International Rules in 2008.
1 May 2005; Paul Finlay, Monaghan, in action against Joe Sheridan, Meath. Allianz National Football League, Division 2 Final, Meath v Monaghan, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit; Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE===
BOXING / KICK-BOXING - Christina McMahon
The Monaghan star was only Ireland's fourth ever female professional boxer, and the first in a decade when she made her bow in 2010.
She went on to win a WBC interim bantamweight title in Zambia, incredibly doing so at the age of 40. She has also topped cards in places as far afield as South Africa and Mexico.
As if all that wasn't impressive enough, McMahon is also a former world kickboxing champion, and has run her own gym in Carrickmacross in the south of the county.
10 December 2010; Christina McMahon, right, in action against Polina Teucheva, during their Bantamweight title bout. Dolphil Promotions Fight Night - The Prides Path to Glory - Undercard, National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE===
SOCCER - Seán McCaffrey
The former Irish underage manager sadly passed away towards the end of 2017, and he was hugely regarded in Irish footballing circles.
He managed Dundalk in the League of Ireland, was involved in the establishment of his local club Monaghan United in 1979 before managing the team, and succeeded Brian Kerr in managing the Irish under-17, under-18, and under-19 sides.
Many players who made the senior international set-up, including the likes of Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick, played under McCaffrey at underage level.
Since his passing a foundation was set up in Monaghan in his name.
9 May 2008; Republic of Ireland coach Sean McCaffrey speaking to Robbie Brady during squad training ahead of their UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group B game against Spain on Saturday. UEFA European Under-17 Championship, World of Wonder Football Centre, Antalya, Turkey. Picture credit: Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE===
GAELIC FOOTBALL - Jenny Greenan
A crucial cog in the Monaghan teams of the nineties and early noughties, Greenan picked up an incredible seven (7) All Stars over the course of her inter-county career.
She picked up the awards five years on the trot in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, before further gongs in 2001 and 2002.
The Aghabog star was also named on the TG4 Team of the Decade for the noughties alongside county teammates Niamh Kindlon and Edel Byrne.
SEVEN ALL STARS.
6 October 1996; Jenny Greenan of Monaghan in action against Mary Casey of Laois during the All-Ireland Ladies Football Final Replay between Monaghan and Laois at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile===
GAELIC FOOTBALL - Seán McCague
McCague managed Monaghan in an extremely successful era for the senior inter-county team - bringing home Ulster titles in 1979, 1985, and 1988, as well as a National League Division One title in 1985 - the only one of the Farney County's history.
The Scotstown man went on to become the 33rd President of the GAA from 2000 to 2003, becoming the first Monaghan man to hold that office.
During his tenure the GAA removed Rule 21 - which banned members of the British security forces from taking part in gaelic games. He also secured a large amount of funding for the re-development of Croke Park.
McCague is from the same parish as the GAA's former Director-General Páraic Duffy - Duffy himself served as a selector for those great Monaghan teams of the last 1970s and 80s.
26 November 2006; Former GAA President Sean McCague. AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship Semi-Final, Clontibret v Crossmaglen Rangers, Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan. Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE===
GAELIC FOOTBALL - Pat McEnaney
The Corduff man, and brother of Monaghan manager 'Banty' McEnaney, is certainly considered one of the most high-profile referees in the history of the GAA.
He was the man in charge for four All-Ireland senior football finals, as well as several International Rules series tests.
The infamous Mayo v Meath brawl game will forever be associated with McEnaney after Liam McHale's sending off, but he went on to officiate again in 2000 for Galway versus Kerry's decider.
As a player he won a Monaghan Junior County Championship and an Intermediate Championship with his local club Corduff.
29 September 1996; Meath captain Tommy Dowd, (left), and Mayo captain Noel Connelly shake hands in front of referee Pat McEnaney. Meath v Mayo, All Ireland Football Final replay, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE===
MOTORSPORT - Sam and Josh Moffett
Sam and Josh Moffett have lit up Irish rallying in recent years - older brother Sam was the Irish Tarmac Rally Champion in 2017, while Josh won the title the very next year in his own Fird Fiesta R5.
Sam actually had the distinction of being Ireland's first ever rally triple crown winner - when he won the National Rally Championship, National Forestry series, and Tarmac title three years ago.
A little bit of brotherly rivalry does no harm...
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ATHLETICS / GAA - John McGough
John McGough is a name I hadn't been too familiar with when I began this process of looking deeper for Monaghan sporting talent.
'The Runner McGough' was born in 1881 in Monaghan but moved to Scotland with his parents - going on to become one of the top athletes across the water.
At one point he held every Scottish record from 1000 yards to 4 miles, and also earned a silver medal in the 1500 metres at the 1906 Olympics in Athens.
He retired from athletics in 1910 and, according to Castleblayney.ie, became an assistant trainer at Manchester United after an approach by former Celtic trainer Rob Davis.
He came home to Monaghan in 1915 to live out the remaining 52 years of his life, founding Blackhill Emeralds GAA club (named after the Blackhill area in Scotland where he delivered letters as a postman.) The Emeralds part of the club name he took from the famous Glaswegian Emerald flute band during his time in the Scottish city.
A masseuse by trade on his return, McGough also served on the backroom team for the famous Cavan side of 1947 that won the only All-Ireland final ever played outside of Ireland - in New York City.
The book 'The Runner McGough: the untold story' by Tommy McGuire appears to be a solid way of finding out more about his life and career.
Missing someone from the list? Know who you'd definitely have in? Let us know in the comments who makes your top four.
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