McEnaney bows out of Monaghan race
Long-serving Monaghan senior football manager Seamus McEnaney will not be reapplying for the position for 2011, he confirmed in a statement released today.
McEnaney was set to be reappointed by the Monaghan County Board earlier this month, but club delegates instead voted in favour of seeking nominations for the post, which are due to be returned on Friday week (September 3).
Despite receiving 'unanimous' backing from the current Monaghan panel, McEnaney has decided not to put his name forward for the nominations process, thus ending his involvement in a position he has held since succeeding Colm Coyle in October 2004.
"Last week I released a statement that said I would take some time to think about the Monaghan County Board's decision to open up the manager's position for 2011 to nominations," wrote McEnaney in his statement.
"Today I am confirming that I will not have my name submitted as a nominee for the manager's position for 2011.
"I believe that this is in the best interest of Monaghan football and indeed every decision I have ever made as Monaghan team manager has been guided by that principle."
He thanked the Monaghan County Board, in particular former chairman John Connolly, past and present players, members of the backroom team, the fans and his family for their support.
During his tenure, the Corduff clubman, a brother of top referee Pat McEnaney, helped Monaghan gain promotion to Division 2 of the National League and then Division 1.
They remain in the top tier of the league.
His side appeared in Ulster SFC finals in 2007 and 2010, when Tyrone toppled them on both occasions. Monaghan's best Championship run under McEnaney saw them reach the All-Ireland quarter-finals in 2007, losing by a point to eventual champions Kerry.
McEnaney's last game in charge of Monaghan, on July 24, saw them lose to Kildare by 1-15 to 1-11 in the fourth round of the All-Ireland qualifiers.
He dubbed his players 'the jewel in the crown' and said that he is leaving the job armed with 'a lifetime of memories from the good days and bad.'
Wishing the panel every success for next season and beyond, McEnaney gave one example of the progress made during his time at the helm.
"I was one of only 20 Monaghan supporters in Carlow for a National League game in February 2004 and to witness 20,000 Monaghan supporters in Clones in July 2010 highlights the incredible work these players have done," he added.
"This progress has been driven from the front by our two outstanding captains, Vinny Corey and Damien Freeman."
