Gabriel Bannigan is officially the new Monaghan boss, replacing Vinny Corey who stepped down after just two seasons in charge
Corey's departure came as a shock to the Farney county as he enjoyed such great success in his first year, guiding them to an All-Ireland semi-final, and although his second season wasn't as enjoyable, it was largely hampered by injuries.
Nonetheless, Corey handed in his gun and badge, and the Ulster side were on the hunt for a new man in charge, and Bannigan is that man.
Here are five reasons why Monaghan fans should be excited about this appointment:
Momentum
One of the reasons people were so disappointed with Corey's decision to step down was because it felt like he had really started to build something.
Elder players had a key role in the team, and younger stars like Ciaran McNulty were being introduced to freshen things up, and it looked like a real balance was struck.
Injuries did decimate the squad last season, but in 2023, they were a real forced to be reckoned with, and ran eventual champions Dublin right to the very wire.
The good news is Bannigan was a key part of Corey's backroom team, and very much present during the success of recent years, so he is the perfect man to continue that good work.
He knows the players, they know him, and he could be instrumental in potentially persuading a few of the more seasoned stars like Conor McManus to stay on for another year.
Andy Moran
It's always good to freshen things up as well, and Andy Moran brings so much as part of the new back room team. The former Mayo star has a prestigious reputation, experience of performing at the very top, and will instantly have the team's respect.
Forwards like Jack McCarron, Ciaran McNulty, Stephen O'Hanlon, and maybe even McManus, will be listening intensely to what the former Player of the Year has to say, in the hope of picking up some nuggets of wisdom.
Moran also spent the last three years managing Leitrim, and got them promoted from Division Four last season, so he knows what it is like to work as a manager in the inter-county environment.
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Experience
Bannigan himself has a wealth of experience which could really help this Monaghan team, and it isn't just confined to his native county.
As well as being a part of the inter-county backroom team in recent years, Bannigan's coaching career has included spells working with some of the biggest clubs in Dublin such as Kilmacud Crokes and St Sylvester's.
With a great knowledge of the players within the county, and plenty of experience of coaching outside of it, Bannigan brings a lot to the table.
Club success
Experience elsewhere is great, but the Fareny county is a very proud one, and they pride themselves on punching above their weight, and competing with the biggest teams on the circuit, despite having a very small geographical catchment area when it comes to picking players.
One of Bannigan's biggest successes was when he took charge of his home club Aughnamullen, and guided them from junior all the way to senior.
That kind of achievement, especially in a county as competitive as Monaghan, is not to be sniffed at, and it shows that Bannigan has a record of getting the best out of players, something which he will need to do in his new role if they are to get back into Division One, and have a good run in the championship.
Backroom team
John McElhone and Damien Freeman join Moran as part of Bannigan's trusted backroom team, and there is plenty of reason to be happy about that.
Freeman in particular is Monaghan through and through, as he represented the county between 1997 to 2011, serving the blue and white jersey for 14 years.
The former defender also captained the county on some of their biggest days, and has experience working with the Monaghan minor team in the past.
Having such a highly regarded figure in the backroom team will only help Bannigan in his pursuit for success, and with the likes of Derry still unable to find a replacement for Mickey Harte, and Tyrone will be finding their feet under a whole new management team, Monaghan will see this as an opportunity to gain some ground on their competitors.
