20 January 2013; Malachy O’Rourke, right, giving instructions to Drew Wylie before Monaghan’s McKenna Cup semi-final against Down at the Athletic Grounds

DREW Wylie says he is “delighted” that Malachy O’Rourke has made the decision to stay on board as Monaghan manager for a fifth season.

Speculation had mounted that O’Rourke would step down in the wake of Monaghan’s unexpected championship exit in a round three qualifier against Longford last month.

O’Rourke has steered Monaghan to two Ulster titles, and in 2017 they will ply their trade in Division One for the third year in a row, and Wylie is relieved to hear that the Fermanagh native is staying at the helm.

He said: “I’m delighted actually that Malachy and the backroom team are staying on. He’s taken us on so far so I would’ve been disappointed to see him go.

“It’s just relief to see him stay on. I wasn’t sure what way it was going to go. I’d heard various rumours.”

The news will instilled renewed hope that some of Monaghan’s veteran players will follow suit and stay involved for another year. Dick Clerkin (34), Vinny Corey (33), Paul Finlay (33) and Dessie Mone (32) are yet to confirm their intentions, but Wylie accepts that time waits for no man.

He said: “It depends on them individually and where they are in their career.

“They have to realise what their bodies can give, they have to make the decision themselves. Some of them might be thinking, yes, they see something in this team, but at the end of the day it’s up to themselves.”

The full interview is available in store today or online here.