McManus calls time on Monaghan inter-county career

Three-time All Star Conor McManus has called time on his inter-county career, Monaghan GAA has announced.

During 18 years as a mainstay and talisman of the Farney county squad, McManus won two Ulster Championship titles, National League Division Three and Two crowns and a Railway Cup competition.

The 37-year-old had been struggling with a chronic long-term hip injury which meant he required painkillers to play and limited his ability to train.

The Clontibret man made his Monaghan senior debut against Roscommon in 2007 and took part in his first Ulster Senior Championship match against Down in Newry in the same year.

His last appearance for the Ulster county came when they lost 0-14 to 0-11 to Galway in last year's All-Ireland Football Championship preliminary quarter-final.

He picked up his All Stars in 2013, 2015 and 2018 and was hugely influential as the Farneymen ended a 25-year wait for a provincial success.

McManus took part in four International Rules series against Australia, being awarded player of the series on two occasions, and holds seven county senior football medals.

'The privilege of a lifetime'

In a statement released on Friday night, Monaghan GAA described McManus's retirement from the inter-county game as "the end of an era".

"In a glorious career which spanned three decades Conor performed consistently at a high level always pursuing success while preparing, training and playing to the highest standard of competition, passion and excellence," the statement read.

McManus said that it had been "the privilege of a lifetime to play for Monaghan for the past 18 years" highlighting "days I will never forget, lifelong memories and friendships made with the boys".

"Monaghan people and fans are the best in the country, sharing our best and worst days with absolute loyalty. I will miss the Clones roar and the buzz of it, but will be stuck in the middle of it from now on," he added.

Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan commented: "It is impossible to find words to do justice to what Conor McManus has contributed to Monaghan GAA over the last 18 seasons.

"What a legacy Conor leaves with us, not just one of Monaghan's greatest but widely recognised as one of the greatest ever to play the game."