Ambitions clear for Monaghan as Kieran Kearns leads rebuild

Kerry had scored 1-05 in the third quarter, Monaghan were rattled and when they reconvened on the side of the Tuam Stadium pitch for the water break, their manager looked for some inspiration.

It was an Ulster rival that Kieran Kearns referenced, Donegal's dramatic smash and grab finish having downed reigning Lidl NFL Division 1 champions Dublin the previous day.

Unfortunately, Monaghan couldn’t grasp the same momentum heading into the closing stages of a 1-11 to 1-14 Division 2 semi-final defeat.

Afterwards, their manager knew the same questions would come up, but he wants to change the mindset, Monaghan are not performing above expectations, they are a county that can compete.

"I only gave one interview after the game and the same sort of question was asked, a moral victory, people didn’t expect us to do too much," said Kearns.

"Being honest, we went up to win that game. We were convinced we had enough armoury to do the damage on the day. And we were very, very sick and disappointed after the game, if I am speaking the truth.

"No matter who I speak to, the expectations are very low for this bunch of girls. The first meeting we had with these girls, we set our own goals and expectations.

"They knew what they were and it’s up to me as a manager and a management team to facilitate those goals. We know where we are and what we want. At the minute we are definitely not punching above our weight.

"It does hurt when you hear those things, I was just talking to the management team. Monaghan in general has that sort of mantra where they are punching above their weight whether it is the ladies or the men.

"From a Monaghan person, more so than a Monaghan manager, it gets tiring after a while listening to it. We know where we want to go