Conor McManus: Monaghan forward likely to sit out Football League opener against Dublin

Monaghan's Conor McManus in action against Michael Fitzsimons of Dublin in the 2023 All-Ireland semi-final

Monaghan manager Vinny Corey says that veteran forward Conor McManus will likely sit out the county's Football League Division One opener with Dublin.

The 36-year-old talisman has committed to play for the Farney county for another season after taking time to consider his future after their All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Dublin.

"He's back with us this year and we're glad to have him back," said Corey.

"Some guys like him are going to be paced a bit differently though.

"The McKenna Cup isn't going to be for them [more senior players], or even the earlier rounds of the league."

Monaghan's place in the semi-finals of the McKenna Cup was secured when they beat Fermanagh 2-9 to 0-12 in the Section C decider at Brewster Park on Wednesday night.

Corey's charges will take on Donegal in the last four at Castleblayney on Sunday with another experimental line-up.

'Young players benefit from McManus experience'

"We know as a management team we have to build game-time with the players for four or five years down the line and McKenna Cups and early rounds of the National League are good for that," explained Corey.

"We know Division One is a very hard place to do that because you're going to meet a team that's maybe at full strength and you can take a few hits but that's the way it will be.

"We have a few good young forwards in the panel this year and they will certainly benefit from having Conor around the place. You can't buy that experience.

"But knowing Conor, he's not going to settle for that. Conor is going to want his place.

"Conor was given his space but you don't have to coax Conor McManus to play football. The big question for Conor was whether the body could still go through the rigours of inter-county football for another year. That was the big question for him.

"There was never a question that he didn't want to be here or you had to coax him. He wants to be here and he's brave enough to put the body through it again and see how far it takes him."

Monaghan's Ciaran McNulty shadows Conor McShea of Fermanagh during the McKenna Cup group game between the sides

Monaghan recovered from a slow start to see off the Ernemen and ensure they would play at least one more competitive fixture before their National League campaign kicks off.

"It took us a while to get going in the first 15 minutes. We had our fair share of mistakes," conceded the Monaghan manager.

"Fermanagh had a strong team out. You could see the chemistry in their team, they were used to playing with each other.

"They pinned us back in the early stages and were more efficient in their attacking play, picking off scores without any major pressure on them.

"I thought our boys got to grips with it a bit better as the half wore on.

"Going in level at half-time maybe flattered us a wee bit but I was happy with the appetite the boys showed in the second half to go and win the game."

'Looking at new players'

Corey expects a tough test against Jim McGuinness's side in the next stage of the competition.

"Everyone has their own set of priorities at this time of year. Some teams are fielding more established players before the National League and other teams trying out young players and trying to build a bit of squad depth.

"We are more the latter in that we haven't played a lot of our experienced players in the competition so far, we've been looking more at new players and seeing what they can do.

"A semi-final against a team that may be more or less playing at full strength will be a big ask for players, but it's an opportunity for them and for us to see some of our new players against some of the top players. It's a good challenge so let's see if they are up for it."

Corey emphasised that goalkeeper Rory Beggan remained very much part of the county panel despite being linked with a trial for an NFL Combine.

"It's something he's good enough to be picked out for. The rest of us don't have the talent he has but boys that have that level of talent are going to be picked for these things.

"It's something he's going to explore for the minute. There's no NFL contract on the table and he's back training with us since the end of December. He's very much part of our panel and that's as much as we can say about it."