McGleenan ready to persevere with Scotstown after fine campaign

Mattie McGleenan has revealed he’s ready to commit to another season as Scotstown manager.

The former Tyrone star is approaching the end of a third year in charge of the Monaghan champions, having taken the club to their first Ulster Club Championship final since 1989.

Following an agonising extra-time defeat to Crossmaglen in Sunday’s epic decider, he feels there’s unfinished business to be attended to.

Scotstown return to the domestic scene next weekend when they will bid to complete the Monaghan double, but Eglish clubman McGleenan is already focused on the defence of the championship title.

Our title

“We’ll try and get back here again,” he said. “We have to defend our title. That’s challenge number one, but we have a league title to defend next week, so I’d like to defend it first.”

McGleenan is hoping a memorable campaign will give his players an appetite for the provincial stage, and inspire them to become part of it again in 2016.

“We have had a fabulous time. This is some competition – All-Ireland club, Ulster club is a fabulous competition where the best players hang out. I just hope that these boys have a taste for it.

“The agreement we had at the start of the year was that we would win one Ulster club match. We got ourselves to an Ulster club final, it’s been a fantastic journey.

“We have the league next Friday night, so we need to regroup for that. Our season is not over.”

The Scotstown boss spoke of his pride in the efforts of his players, who won many admirers in their terrific performances against Slaughtneil, Trillick and Crossmaglen.

Serious character

“I can’t ask any more of the Scotstown football team. The effort and the commitment, the determination they have given, I’m so proud of them it’s unbelievable.

“It’s 26 years since Scotstown was in an Ulster club final. They showed serious character, and I’m proud of each and every one of them.”

“We came up against an unreal Cross team. Cross have done this all before, so it’s nothing new to them.

“That’s what Ulster club football is all about, and I’m just honoured to be working with them, and honoured at the effort that they put in.”