Former All-Ireland winner John Mc Entee has been appointed Monaghan football manager, replacing Gabriel Bannigan. Mc Entee, who helped Armagh win the Sam Maguire in 2002, takes his first inter-county job after spending the past four seasons in charge of Monaghan club Inniskeen. The 49-year-old's appointment was ratified at a county board meeting on Monday night.
"I'm really excited and looking forward to it. Really privileged and honoured to be asked to take on this role and I'm going to give it my best shot," Mc Entee told Northern Sound. He said conversations about the post had taken place for several weeks since it became vacant, and that he had alternative options but this role excited him the most.
Bannigan, who said "the goalposts have moved" when announcing his departure after two years at the helm in August, leaves after a successful spell. Under him, Monaghan won the Division Two title in 2025 and reached successive All-Ireland quarter-finals. The Farney men were relegated from Division One this year after a tough league campaign, but bounced back in the Ulster SFC with wins over Cavan and Derry before losing an extra-time decider to Armagh.
Mc Entee brings a strong record, having led Inniskeen to Monaghan finals in 2023 and 2025, oversaw Clontibret's 2019 Monaghan SFC triumph, and guided Crossmaglen Rangers to the Ulster title in 2015. He said the panel contains high-quality players and a good base to work from, while bringing through new talent will freshen up the squad. "Gabriel left Monaghan in a really good place and we want to maintain those standards," he added. Tony Austin was also confirmed as senior hurling boss on Monday.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing