Hi °C | Lo °C When Mark Keogh was plucked from obscurity to be handed the role of Monaghan goalkeeper he could have been forgiven for thinking that he was taking delivery of a poisoned chalice.
Monaghan's last-minute preparations for the Ulster championship quarter-final against Armagh last year saw regular custodian Shane Duffy injured and it was thought that the then boss Seamus McEnaney would plump for his understudy Sean Gorman.
Instead, McEnaney opted for centre-half-back Darren Hughes - and Gorman headed for the exit door indefinitely.
Duffy, clearly far from fit, was restored for the provincial decider when Tyrone were victors in a one-sided contest by 1-14 to 0-7.
On Sunday, Keogh makes his Ulster championship debut, bolstered by a ringing endorsement from Eamonn McEnaney.
"Mark has performed very well for us and would appear to have a bright future. Obviously any keeper facing an attack like Tyrone's knows that he could have a hard time but Mark has shown great character lately."
