Hughes: Too much is being expected of McManus

Monaghan are being “killed” by their over-reliance on Conor McManus for scores, according to the county’s three-time All-Star Nudie Hughes.

Ahead of hosting Kerry in Clones on Sunday, the Castleblayney man fears too much is expected of their excellent inside forward to come up with the goods.

“We have a half-forward line that defends more than attacks, that are runners and not scorers. Conor McManus is really our only out-and-out striker. Now, Kerry don’t have a man-marker who would suit doing a job on him so I expect them to double up on him.

“But we are totally reliant on McManus and we are being killed because of it.

“Our full-back line is solid, Drew Wylie is in great form, but our half-backs are struggling and in midfield we are being wiped out.”

Monaghan beat Kerry by four points in Tralee last year but Hughes admits he is hoping for a draw in St Tiernach’s Park.

“Kerry have better individual players. We did bully them out of it last year but our team has aged. If McManus is isolated we have a chance but I don’t expect Kerry will allow that to happen. We will do well to get a draw.”

A point for Monaghan coupled with a defeat for Mayo in Dr Hyde Park would ensure Malachy O’Rourke’s side have Division 1 football to look forward to next season.

However, Hughes fancies Kerry will be keen to qualify for the semi-finals and get an extra game before their long break before their Munster semi-final in June. “Teams like Kerry and Donegal want to progress because they have time before their provincial championships and it allows them to see what’s going on with the teams they will face in the knock-out stages. A semi-final beats two weeks of training.”