GAA:Seamus McEnaney's reappointment as Monaghan senior football manager will not be as straightforward as first thought after clubs delegates last night voted in favour of seeking nominations for the post.
McEnaney has been manager for six years, the second longest current serving football manager behind Tyrone’s Mickey Harte, and a new three-year term was expected to be ratified at last night’s meeting.
Instead clubs have been asked to submit nominations for the post by Friday, September 3rd ahead of the next county board meeting.
Last week the Monaghan board backed the Corduff clubman, who was seeking another three-year term. However last night’s stand by club representatives places McEnaney reappointment in some doubt.
The Monaghan county board is also seeking nominations for the positions of senior and minor hurling manager.
"The Monaghan county committee has decided to seek nominations for managers of all county teams, ie senior football, senior hurling and minor hurling. Nominations are due to be returned by Friday, September 3rd," read a statement from the Monaghan board.
McEnaney’s future with the Farney county first became uncertain after losing the Ulster SFC final against Tyrone. Six days later they were dumped out of the championship after their round four qualifier defeat to Kildare.
During his time he has guided them to the NFL Division 2 title and earned promotion to Division 1 where they remain for next season.
"I can't write-off 2010 simply because we didn't perform for 35 minutes against Tyrone in the Ulster final,” said McEnaney.
"In my opinion, Monaghan played their best football by a country mile in 2010. In my opinion, a good football man would notice that. There is no doubt that we played our best football. We improved more in 2010 than we did in any other year.
"We stayed in Division 1, which we hadn't been able to do in 20 years, and we made only our second Ulster final in 22 years."
"I have given six years to this job and I have been very proud of the players who have taken Monaghan from a very low ebb to among the top-eight counties in the country,” he added.
Last night Justin McNulty has appointed Laois senior football manager after a meeting of the county board and support from club officials.
McNulty takes over from Sean Dempsey who held the role for two years. The term of the 2002 All-Ireland winner with Armagh has yet to be confirmed.
McNulty’s coaching credentials come with time served in Paddy O’Rourke’s backroom team with Armagh and managing Cavan club side Mullahoran.