‘Cavan, Down, Dublin, Louth, Tyrone, Derry and Wexford will be Monaghan’s Division Two opponents next season. Nothing easy. Nothing guaranteed. No honeymoon period for the new manager’
Social media can be a fairly toxic place at the best of times.
It was, therefore, refreshing to see such an outpouring of goodwill towards Gabriel Bannigan following his sudden and abrupt departure as Monaghan senior football manager on Thursday night.
For many outside the county, the news came as a bolt from the blue.
Bannigan had guided Monaghan back to Division One in his first season in charge.
Although they lost their top-flight status in 2026, there were extenuating circumstances.
Scotstown’s extended club campaign robbed the Farney of a host of key players for the early part of the season while a crippling injury list meant Bannigan was never able to name a full-strength team at any time this season.
Still, they reached the Ulster SFC final following a breathless win over Derry with Jack McCarron and Rory Beggan scoring outrageous placed kicks to set up a meeting with Armagh.
In the Ulster final, they brought the game to extra-time for the second successive outing, but couldn’t land the knockout blow on the Orchard County, who ended their own 18-year wait for a provincial title .
Even as they went toe-to-toe with the eventual All-Ireland winners Mayo in a thrilling clash in Clones, they lost the services of one of their brightest prospects as the towering Bobby McCaul became the latest county player to succumb to the dreaded cruciate curse .
After losing to Mayo by the bare minimum in Clones, they toppled Connacht champions Roscommon and Leinster champions Westmeath in St Tiernach’s Park.
That run of five remarkable Championship performances said everything about Gabriel Bannigan’s Monaghan.
They were brave, honest, determined and exciting to watch.
Prior to their quarter-final loss to Louth at Croke Park, it was confirmed that the influential Beggan would play no part. Monaghan ended up losing the game 0-27 to 2-18.
As Bannigan’s scathing departure statement alluded to, he was already making plans to continue into the 2027 campaign.
The next man in is already behind the eight ball.
The Aughamullen native stated that he didn’t want to step down and made reference to “moving goalposts” in his statement.
That’s hardly cryptic and he hinted at outside inference with the selection of his backroom team as he sought to make changes for next season.
It is unclear whether or not Andy McEntee and John McElholm, father of Tyrone star Eoin, were going to be retained or if Bannigan simply wished to add another coach to his management team.
We may never know, but the whole saga will hardly woo a worthy successor away from a leading club or county position.
So where do Monaghan go from here?
The aforementioned McEntee is one possibility.
Bannigan worked with his predecessor Vinny Corey who, in turn, was part of Seamus McEnaney’s backroom team.
‘Banty’ is another name who has already been touted for the role – it remains to be seen if he is keen on a third stint as Monaghan boss.
As manager of Ulster Club champions Scotstown, David McCague is sure to be in the running while Kilcoo boss Martin Corey, brother of Vinny, is another possible candidate.
More leftfield appointments might include Crossmaglen natives John McEntee, current boss of Inniskeen, and Wicklow manager Oisin McConville.
The latter would seem the least likely option given that the Garden County are set to play in the Sam Maguire Cup next season, although he did make reference to the travelling involved in the aftermath of their brilliant Tailteann Cup victory.
Whoever is in the frame, Monaghan need to act fast as recent history suggests that delayed managerial appointments rarely work out.
Just ask Derry.
Get it wrong and Monaghan could slip down the pecking order and fast.
They don’t need to look too far to heed the warning signs.
Cavan were precariously close to being back in the Tailteann Cup this season after finishing sixth in Division Two.
Down, despite beating then-then Ulster champions Donegal in Ulster and winning Division Three, still failed to qualify for the Sam Maguire.
Cavan, Down, Dublin, Louth, Tyrone, Derry and Wexford will be Monaghan’s Division Two opponents next season.
Nothing easy.
Nothing guaranteed.
No honeymoon period for the new manager.
Monaghan has a proud tradition of punching well above their weight.
In stepping down, Gabriel Bannigan claims his hand was forced. Monaghan must now ensure they get the appointment of his successor right.
The Tailteann Cup trapdoor is there for them if they don’t.
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