John McEntee to take charge of Monaghan footballers

John McEntee is poised to take over as manager of the Monaghan senior football team, with RTÉ Sport reporting that the former Armagh star is expected to be ratified at a county board meeting on Monday night.

McEntee’s appointment brings significant club experience and an established championship pedigree to the Farney County as they look to build for the future.

McEntee succeeds Gabriel Bannigan, who stepped down from the position in August, as Monaghan begin preparations for the next inter-county campaign.

The 2002 All-Ireland winner has considerable experience in club management, most recently guiding Inniskeen Grattans. His spell with the south Monaghan club included two appearances in the county championship final, with the first coming in his debut season in charge, marking Inniskeen’s first final appearance since 1990.

Inniskeen’s championship run this year ended last weekend when they were defeated in the semi-final by reigning three-in-a-row champions Scotstown.

McEntee also previously managed Clontibret, another prominent Monaghan club, before returning to club management with Inniskeen.

At inter-county level, he enjoyed considerable success with his native Crossmaglen Rangers, co-managing the Armagh club alongside Oisín McConville. The pair guided Crossmaglen to Ulster Club Championship glory in 2015 and secured two Armagh senior county titles.

His anticipated appointment continues a trend of players from Armagh’s historic 2002 All-Ireland-winning side moving into management. Among his former teammates to have taken on inter-county roles are Tony McEntee, McConville, Kieran McGeeney, Justin McNulty and Aidan O’Rourke.

John’s brother Tony also pursued the Monaghan managerial position in 2020 but was unsuccessful. The former Sligo manager and Mayo coach is now involved with Down’s backroom team.