Victories in the Ceannarus Tournament against Roscommon and Dublin in 1979 brought gloss to the county's finest year on the football field in almost half a century.

1985 was the county's most successful year to date when a National Football League final victory against Armagh in 1985 created a momentum that peaked in 1985 when future Monaghan manager Eamonn McEneaney kicked one of the most spectacular equalizing points in many years from 48 metres out near the sideline beside the Hogan Stand to draw the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry on a scoreline of Monaghan 2–09 to Kerry's 1-12.

Paddy Linden saved a penalty, while and Armagh player saw the line barely 30 seconds after coming onto the field as a substitute, following an apparent high tackle on Declan Flanagan.

As stated the drawn All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry was a thriller but the absence of David Byrne through injury in the second half probably cost Monaghan victory.

Eamon McEneaney's last gasp equaliser was something special but in the replay Kerry were ruthless and despite serious Monaghan pressure the Kingdom won by 5 points.

Monaghan's run that year was something special considering the fact that they were missing Declan Loughman, Gerry Hoey and Bernie Murray (all with broken legs).

Monaghan's championship run in 1986 consisted of a draw against Down in Castleblayney thanks to a last gap Eamon McEneaney free while in the replay Down emerged victors in Newcastle on a 2–11 to 0–11 score.

In 1987, Monaghan reached the National Football League semi-final again where they played out a thrilling game against Kerry at Croke Park.

Previous wins over Cavan (0-16 to 0-14), again marked by a 5 star performance from Nudie Hughes and Down (1-11 to 0-09) had brought Monaghan to the Ulster final.

In 1989 Monaghan scraped home with an 0–08 to 0–05 win against Antrim in Casement Park, Belfast, where the homesters literally kicked the game away.

Behind at one stage early in the second half by 1–05 to 0-02, the Down goal scored by James Mc Cartan, a rousing rally with goals by Darren Swift and Stephen Mc Ginnitty and a spectacular individual point by Peter Duffy saw Monaghan cause a mild surprise with a 2–05 to 1–06 win.

2005 was another memorable year for the county when they contested the Division 2 National Football League final against Meath at Croke Park.

However it took a last gasp point from Paul Finlay in the final league game against Longford in Clones to earn a draw and automatic promotion to Division 1 for the first time in 18 years.

The NFL Division 2 final was a thrilling ding dong battle between two well match sides and was full of top drawer scores.

This marked Monaghan's first visit to Croke Park in 7 years, that resulting in a 1–12 to 0–08 defeat in a National Football League semi-final to Derry back in 1998.

However a shrewd management move from Tyrone resulted in a player being brought back to double mark Freeman and the Farney threat was quashed.

They ran out flattering 2–14 to 1-07 winners in the end, limiting Monaghan to a single point from a free in the second half.

All the pre-match hype surrounded the question as to whether or not Tyrone's Ryan McMenamin would be playing, having been suspended following an incident in the Ulster final.

2006 saw Monaghan compete in Division 1A of the National Football League but apart from a win over Dublin and a draw with Offaly, there was little else to celebrate despite battling displays against Kerry and Tyrone and relegation followed in the spring.

Nobody had given Monaghan a hope coming into the final but the Farney men took the Tir Chonaill boys by surprise rushing into a 4–0 lead while also keeping Donegal scoreless for 32 minutes.

Monaghan beat Donegal at their own game using the blanket defence system while Darren Hughes and Conor McManus remained outstanding.

This result was coupled with the Minors superb comeback win earlier in the day defeating Tyrone to complete an historic double.

Other notable Monaghan Handball players include Darren Doherty who has achieved several major titles over the last 10+ years.

[citation needed] Under Camogie's National Development Plan 2010–2015, "Our Game, Our Passion",[7] Donegal, Kerry, Mayo and Monaghan were to get a total of 14 new clubs by 2015.