By Michael McMullan

MONAGHAN have one of the strongest management teams in the country and their Performance Coach Liam Sheedy will be expecting “a huge amount” from their players.

That’s the view of Martin McElkennon who has been part of both Derry and Monaghan management teams during his coaching career.

In an interview for this week’s Gaelic Life, McElkennon looks at both camps ahead of Sunday’s Ulster Championship semi-final.

“They will be well prepared and the backroom team Seamus McEnaney has developed is probably as strong a backroom team as there is in Ireland in Gaelic football or hurling,” stated McElkennon, who joined McEnaney’s backroom team ahead of the 2006 season. McElkennon returned when ‘Banty’ took over the county’s u-20 and minor teams for a two-year stint in 2018.

The current senior management team comprises former skipper Vinny Corey and Donie Buckley, with Liam Sheedy joining the setup this year.

“Seamus would’ve brought Liam in when we were down in Wexford (with the senior footballers),” McElkennon said. “He came a few times and also when I was in with the Monaghan minors and u-20s…maybe on the Friday for a game to chat to the players.”

Sheedy has a deeper involvement at senior level and McElkennon points out what he can bring as Monaghan bid for a first Ulster title since 2015.

“He has won All-Irelands with Tipperary; he is a superb motivator and is superb with his organisation,” he said. “When he talks to the players, he will expect a huge amount from them.

“One thing I can say to Derry now, there will be zero complacency coming from Monaghan, that’s one thing they won’t have.”