Gabriel Bannigan: Taking Farney reins, grieving Owen and managing captain Micheál 

Up to seven years ago, inter-county management wouldn’t have been on Bannigan’s radar.

Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Monaghan and Down. Pic: Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile

May 23, 2014 is a date stamped in Gabriel Bannigan’s psyche.

The Monaghan manager and his older brother Owen, father of current county captain Micheál, were looking forward to 15-year-old Micheál making his minor championship debut the following day against Down in Newry.