SEAMUS McEnaney has described managing Monaghan as “one of the great privileges and honours of my life” after calling time on his second spell in charge.
The Corduff man - who previously led his county from 2004-2010 - saw his side bounced out of Ulster by eventual champions Derry in May, before they were sent spiralling out of the Championship by Mayo earlier this month.
Indeed, his departure comes just days after James Horan also brought a second stint with his native county to a close following Mayo’s All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Kerry on Sunday.
It will have been a tough decision to make for McEnaney, who brought in some big names to his backroom team at different stages – including Peter Donnelly, Conor Laverty, Donie Buckley, Jonny Davis and Liam Sheedy - after succeeding Malachy O’Rourke in 2019.
However, the onset of the Covid pandemic saw Monaghan get just one shot at glory in McEnaney’s first two years, coughing up a seven point lead before losing to Cavan after extra-time in 2020, then narrowly losing out to All-Ireland champions-elect Tyrone in a tense Ulster final.
‘Banty’ also had to serve a 12-week suspension in 2021 after his Monaghan squad were found to have breached Covid regulations by training collectively in Corduff.
A dramatic last-day League victory over Dublin was this year’s highlight, the Farney securing their Division One status on an unforgettable afternoon in Clones, only to fall short once more when Championship rolled around.
And, less than a month after defeat in Castlebar, McEnaney signalled the end of his second reign – paying tribute to the Monaghan supporters and, in particular, the Monaghan players as he stood down.
“I would like to thank Monaghan County Board for their unwavering support for me and my management team and players over the course of the last three years,” read a statement from McEnaney.
“I want to thank each and every member of my management team and backroom team for their enormous contribution and commitment in pursuit of success for the Monaghan senior team under my stewardship.
“I want to thank Rosie and my entire family for their steadfast loyalty, tolerance and sacrifice in light of the time away from them that the role as an inter-county manager demands. Family are not only important, family is everything.
“I want to thank all of the sponsors of Monaghan GAA for their generosity and financial support of our team, particularly All Boro Floor Services/Traynor family as our main sponsor.
“The Monaghan players are a very special bunch of men who have been fantastic ambassadors for the people of Monaghan in the past and during my term as manager. I have no doubt that they will continue to represent this great county with pride and distinction into the future.
“Managing Monaghan has been one of the great privileges and honours of my life, one that I have never taken for granted.”
McEnaney also reflected on the “huge range of emotions” over the past three years, which included the tragic loss of county U20 captain Brendan ‘Ogie’ Duffy as well as friend and Monaghan sponsor Phil Traynor.
“Over the past three years we have experienced a huge range of emotions, some fantastic days and performances to moments of immense sadness,” said McEnaney.
“I reflect on the sudden passing of my great friend and main sponsor Phil Traynor and the devastating loss of our 2018 Ulster Minor Championship winning captain Breandán ‘Ógie’ Duffy, followed by the huge emotion of the victory over Armagh to reach our first Ulster final in six years, only to lose the final agonisingly.
“This contrasted with this year’s final day beating the Dubs to maintain Division One status to ensure that Monaghan supporters can enjoy Division One football for a ninth consecutive year - a record we are rightly proud of.
“I want to conclude by thanking the fantastic gaels of Monaghan who always supported the Monaghan team and who lifted our team performances with their passion and fervour from the stands.
“I will now return to help my club and have the privilege of being a Monaghan supporter in the stands again. I want to wish this great group of players every success in the future.”
