McManus says players will have to put Christmas on hold over hectic fixtures
December 24, 2019
Cavan's Padraig Faulkner with Conor McManus of Monaghan. ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson.
By Daragh Small
Monaghan triple All-Star Conor McManus believes some players might have to put Christmas on hold because of the hectic fixtures schedule.
The sharpshooter has recently returned to training with Monaghan, after his club Clontibret were knocked out of the Ulster SFC semi-finals by Naomh Conaill on 16 November.
Monaghan open their Dr McKenna Cup campaign against Derry next Sunday while they face Galway in their National Football League opener on 26 January.
“The McKenna Cup is an opportunity to blood players and get a bit of game-time under the belt. Fellas get their first chance at inter-county football,” said McManus.
“But at this time of the year, you have to get a balance that is what it is all about. Fellas have to have a bit of down-time as well.
“The structure isn’t ideal, I don’t know why you have to be pulling lads out in late December to be playing pre-season games.
“But it is what it is and you just get on with it. I don’t have the answers.”
The 32-year-old says he will be forever grateful to Séamus McEneaney for giving him his first chance.
McManus failed to make the cut at minor level but has won three All-Stars since ‘Banty’ McEneaney called him into the senior panel.
The ex-Meath and Wexford manager has returned to replace Malachy O’Rourke for his second stint in charge of the Monaghan footballers.
McEneaney managed his native county between 2004 and 2010 and handed McManus his debut in the 2007 National Football League.
“Banty brought me into the senior squad at the end of the 2006 to start training with Monaghan so I’m well aware what he brings,” said McManus.
“He started me off with inter-county football and I hadn’t played county minors. The following year Banty brought me in so he placed a lot of trust in me. I will always been thankful for that.
“It’s good to see him back. He has been back involved with the minors, won an Ulster minor championship and been involved with the U-20s.
“Things haven’t changed and he is back in and has assembled a good backroom team. We have to harness that now and we are working hard and keeping our heads down.”
McEnaney recently released his 36-man panel for the year ahead and for the first time in years the Clontibret duo of Dessie Mone and Vinny Corey are not involved after their retirements.
“When you have given the number of years of service that Dessie and Vinny have given to the Monaghan jersey, and Clontibret alongside that, it is a lot of time and training sessions, games and commitment,” said McManus.
“While it would have been great to see them carry on in a Monaghan jersey that time comes for everybody. Them two boys owe us nothing.
“They have been unbelievable servants and role models for any young players coming through the ranks. If you want to emulate a career they are the two boys you want to look at.”
