Evergreen Paul Finlay still getting the balance right

"Age is only a number on a birth cert", said the late Jimmy Magee.

And while the renowned broadcaster was referring to callowness making its mark on the big stage, the quote could also describe those in the 'veteran' grade still being a driving force.

Paul Finlay fits into the latter category.

At the age of 39, he was on the field of play as his club, Ballybay Pearse Brothers, won the Monaghan SFC title, when defeating Scotstown in the decider. And so ten years on from captaining the Ballybay to Farney glory, the attacker is still in the thick of it, kicking a point from a free as the club landed a ninth title.

Finlay didn't lick it off a stone. His late father Kieran 'Jap' Finlay was a key member of the Monaghan side through the 1970s and 1980s, winning two Ulster titles in 1979 and 1985. Kieran passed way in 2012, months before his son collected the Mick Duffy Cup. In 2013 and '15, Paul would emulate his dad in being on teams that would bring the Anglo Celt home. Fourteen years in the blue and white of Monaghan; 22 years and counting in the maroon and white of Ballybay.

On Saturday next, Finlay and his team-mates will take on Ulster's tried and trusted, Crossmaglen Rangers, in the preliminary round of the Ulster club.

Since 2012, Ballybay have come close to adding to their county haul and were beated finalists in 2018 and 2020. Finlay was not deterred.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport at an event to mark AIB's 32nd year sponsoring the GAA All-Ireland club championship, he said: "That's what we do in the GAA; we keep coming back.

"We're gluttons for punishment if you like. If you feel you're in good enough shape and everything is right for you - family wise, work wise and in terms of where you're at as a player, that's just what you do.