Paul Finlay knows that Monaghan are up against it in Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final clash with Dublin but he feels that the Oriel County must not try to reinvent the wheel if they are to spring an upset.
"The county is buzzing," he told RTÉ Sport ahead of Monaghan's first semi-final since 2018. "Everybody’s in great form and looking forward to it.
"I can only assume Monaghan's preparation will be the same as per other matches. You can't just change what has got you here because of the opposition.
"It's an enormous task but Monaghan just have to prepare as best they can, the way they have for all the other games: match-ups, talk about how they want to defend, attack, want the kick-outs to go. The guys will be aware of the task but it’s still a game of football, and you have to go out and try to get the absolute best out of yourself.
"That’s what Monaghan will be focusing on. Play to the top of their ability and see where that gets them. If you can leave that pitch knowing you gave it everything, the result looks after itself. Most times when you’re able to do that you end up with a good result but at this level, in some cases…
"They are going to have to try and get a few scores on the board early and be watertight at the back.
"Talking about it and doing it are totally different because they are coming up against a Dublin team that seem to be hitting form at the right time. They went to a new level in the second half against Mayo and that’s going to be really hard to contain if Dublin come with that sort of game. But what can Monaghan do only prepare for that?"
Finlay, who retired as the county's record scorer in 2016 but still plays for Ballybay, has been impressed with the impact his former team-mate Vinny Corey has made in his first year in the hot seat after succeeding Seamus McEnaney.
"I wouldn’t say I have noticed a whole pile different but what I’m really happy about is how the team are playing for not only the management but the jersey and everybody in Monaghan.
"It’s quite evident that Vinny and his team have the guys really well drilled in a system and a never-say-die attitude that has been evident throughout all of their games.
"Any management that can instil that into their team are doing something really good.
"Monaghan teams down the years have had that but certainly they are firing well and playing right to the end. They find themselves in a great position now."
Both teams have relied on experience - Karl O'Connell turns 35 next month but played 84 minutes in the penalty shootout win over Armagh, while 36-year-old Conor McManus came off the bench to play a key role.
"Karl talked about retiring a couple of years back and it's everybody in Monaghan’s joy to see him still playing the way he is," said Finlay.
"He has been exceptional. He’s playing some of the best football he has ever played. Putting his body on the line, he has a young family at home, we know the commitment it takes.
"You don't just develop into a brilliant team in your teens or early 20s. You need experience to be able to bring these guys forward and Dublin have the perfect mix in that they have some experience in their team and have bolstered their squad with some yet.
"Stephen Cluxton, how would you not want a player that can have such an influence on your team? James McCarthy, Brian Fenton, all of these fellas.
"Dublin have never gone away in my opinion. They have still been playing to a very high level. Yes, Kerry have come back but I’m not surprised for one moment what Dublin are bringing.
Watch the All-Ireland Football Championship semi-final, Dublin v Monaghan (Saturday 5.30pm), and Kerry v Derry (Sunday 4pm) this weekend on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch highlights of the weekend's football action on The Sunday Game, 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
