The two bottom-placed teams in the Monaghan Senior Football League are relegated to the Intermediate ranks for the following season, with the Intermediate Football Championship winners and Intermediate Football League winners promoted in their place. If a team wins both the Intermediate Championship and League, then the next highest placed team in the League will be promoted. Similarly, the two bottom-placed teams in the Monaghan Intermediate Football League are relegated to the Junior ranks for the following season, with the Junior Football Championship winners and Junior Football League winners promoted in their place. If a team wins both the Junior Championship and League, then the next highest placed team in the League will be promoted. The following teams have changed division since the 2018 championship season.
Four of the ten teams are drawn into the Preliminary Round. The remaining six teams are drawn in Round 1A. The winners of the two Preliminary Rounds play each other in Round 1A.
Round 1
Round 1A
The six teams not drawn in the Preliminary Round enter the competition in this round, along with the two Preliminary Round winners. The four Round 1A winners proceed to Round 2A while the four losers enter the back-door in Round 1B.
Round 1B
The losers of the Preliminary Round enter this round along with the losers of Round 1A, but not that fixture which contains the Preliminary Round winners. A draw will be made to determine the two pairings, with the fifth team obtaining a bye into Round 2B. Two teams will exit the competition at this stage. The following teams are eligible to take part in Round 1B -
Tyholland;
Sean McDermotts;
Aughnamullen;
Cremartin;
Killanny;
One team will receive a bye into Round 2B.
Round 2
Round 2A
The four winners from Round 1A play each other. The two winners proceed to the semi-finals while the losers must play in Round 3. The following teams are eligible to take part in Round 2A -
Corduff;
Donaghmoyne;
Emyvale;
Magheracloone;
Round 2B
The two winners from Round 1B, one team who received a bye through Round 1B and the loser of the Round 1A tie involving the Preliminary Round winners play in this round. The winners will proceed to Round 3 while the losers will exit the championship. The following teams are eligible to take part in Round 2B -
Aughnamullen;
Killanny;
Sean McDermotts;
Monaghan Harps;
Round 3
The two winners from Round 2B play the two losers from Round 2A. The winners proceed to the semi-finals while the losers exit the championship. The following teams are eligible to take part in Round 3 -
Aughnamullen;
Monaghan Harps;
Corduff;
Emyvale;
Semi-Finals
The two winners from Round 2A play the two winners from Round 3.