John McEntee confirmed as new Monaghan football manager

McEntee takes over from Gabriel Bannigan who stepped down in August

Monaghan will be John McEntee's first senior men's inter-county job. Pic: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Monaghan GAA has confirmed John McEntee will be the county's new senior football manager. The 2002 Armagh All-Ireland winner replaces Gabriel Bannigan, who stepped down from the role in August. 

It will be his first senior men's inter-county job. His twin brother Tony previously managed Sligo for five seasons. 

Crossmaglen man McEntee managed Monaghan side Inniskeen for the last four seasons, leading them to the 2023 and 2025 senior county finals. They fell at the semi-final stage this year to reigning champions Scotstown, who also beat them in last year's final. In 2019, McEntee managed Clontibret to the Monaghan title. 

"John McEntee brings a wealth of experience, leadership and commitment to the role, and we look forward to working with him as preparations begin for the challenges ahead," Monaghan GAA said in a statement.

"Details of John's full backroom team will be announced in the coming week. In the interests of respecting current football commitments and ensuring there is no distraction to ongoing club activities, those appointments will be confirmed at a later date."

McEntee said he knew his time with Inniskeen was coming to an end. 

"I'm really excited and looking forward to it," McEntee said on a podcast with Northern Sound.

"Really privileged and honoured to be asked to take on this role and I'm going to give it my best shot.

"There's been conversations about the Monaghan post for a number of weeks since it became vacant and there were opportunities for clubs to put names forward.

"I didn't entertain that at the time because I was focused on Inniskeen but I knew this was naturally going to be the end of my tenure with Inniskeen and I had alternative options but this was the one that excited me the most."

Monaghan also confirmed that Rossa man Tony Austin has been appointed their new senior hurling manager.