Conor McManus is keeping his fingers crossed that Monaghan will have a full hand to pick from when they defend the Anglo-Celt Cup next summer.

The All Star forward feared the disappointment of losing this year's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final to Tyrone would result in some of the Farney County's old guard walking away, but so far there have been no retirements.

"That's something that probably would have been a worry after the Tyrone game," he admitted in the Irish Daily Star.

"There are a couple of lads that would have been with Monaghan 14, 15, 16 years - you couldn't blame them if they decided they'd had enough. But obviously there's been nothing yet. They have to weigh everything up, but hopefully when the decision is made it will be a good one for Monaghan."

McManus is looking forward to lining out for Ireland in tomorrow week's International Rules Test against Australia at Croke Park.

"I thoroughly enjoy it and even as a young fella, I remember coming up to Croke Park to watch the likes of Padraic Joyce, Peter Canavan, Kieran McGeeeny, Darragh O Se.

"It's a no-brainer for a child to come up to Croke Park next week to see what the best of Ireland has to offer," the Clontibret clubman added.

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