Colin Walshe does not expect Monaghan to be distracted ahead of their final game of the Super 8s against Galway.
The Farney only need to draw against the Tribesmen to confirm their place in the All-Ireland semi-finals but know a defeat and a win for Kerry against Kildare would see them exit the competition.
David Clifford’s last-gasp goal against Monaghan last time out ensures Group 1 will go down to the final game but Walshe insists his teammates are not feeling the pressure.
“Going into the Galway game it’s all in our hands. We know we’ll top the group with a win and we’ll have five points from six,” Walshe told OTB.
“It’s probably a clear enough focus in our minds – we have one objective – and we probably don’t need to think about the other game.
“That was the thing about the last day against Kerry – they could have stolen the game at the end and we could have been going into the last game knowing a win mightn’t be enough.
“For ourselves we probably feel we’re in a good position to go into the Galway game and attack it.”
David Clifford’s last-gasp goal against Monaghan ensured Group 1 will go down to the final game. Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie
Looking ahead to Galway, Walshe is expecting a different challenge from a side who are already assured of their place in the All-Ireland semi-finals.
“We saw Kerry play Galway in the previous week and it was a more tactical affair and both teams didn’t open up in a cagey affair,” Walshe added.
“Whereas the last day in Clones, Kerry pressed us high and all over the field, so we had to adapt to that.
“It was an open game of football –there was space left at both ends – I think it will be a different approach the next day.
“We won’t face the pressure we faced against Kerry. We’ll be playing Galway who are similar. They have a strong defensive team but they’re great on the counter-attack and they have some top forwards.
“It’s something we’ve faced before over the years and it’s something we’re accustomed to.”
James Hopper
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