By Shaun Casey

DEFEATED Monaghan finalists Clontibret have retained the services of joint-managers Paul McCartan and Neil Coulter for the upcoming 2025 season.

The Burren clubmen helped Clontibret reach their first decider since 2019, the last time they collected the Mick Duffy Cup, but they came up short against Scotstown in the end, losing by five points.

They had to battle through most of the championship campaign without Conor McManus, who picked up a hand injury in the opening round. McManus looks like he’ll be back with Monaghan again next season and will no doubt still be a major star for Clontibret in 2025.

Ballybay have also kept a hold of their manager with former Tyrone attacker Ryan Mellon back in charge for a second year.

The Moy clubman won two All-Ireland titles with Tyrone during his playing days, in 2005 and 2008. More recently, he was involved with Armagh club Madden and helped them reach the SFC semi-finals in 2023 before taking over the Ballybay job at the start of the year.

The is no change in Inniskeen either as Armagh All-Ireland winner John McEntee is back for a third season in charge. The Crossmaglen native brought the Grattan’s to the Monaghan decider in 2022, but they lost out to Scotstown by three points.

They suffered the same fate at the hands of Scotstown this season always, although at the semi-final stage this time around. Former club teammate Tony Kernan will once again be part of McEntee’s management team.

Inniskeen haven’t won the Monaghan Senior Championship since 1948 and have only been in four finals since then. Getting over the line and claiming championship gold will once again be the target for McEntee.

At Intermediate level, Castleblayney have appointed clubman Paul O’Connor, taking over from Eamonn McEnaney. O’Connor was part of McEnaney’s management team last season when they reached the final four of the championship.

O’Connor has also been a member of Dermot Malone’s Monaghan minor coaching ticket in the past two seasons and helped the Farney youngsters reach the 2023 Ulster and All-Ireland finals, which they lost to Derry on both occasions.

O’Connor has held the role of Games Development Manager in Monaghan for the last number of years as well. Michael Beagan, who was O’Connor’s Ballymacnab captain during his three-year spell involved with the Armagh club,will coach.