McManus calls it a day for Meath

Some 24 hours after Offaly caused what may prove the biggest shock of this summer's football championship, some inevitable reflection amongst the Meath team has brought about an announcement of retirement by Enda McManus.

The long-serving Dunboyne defender made a late appearance in Sunday's encounter, replacing drained corner back Mark O'Reilly, but McManus looked rusty after his extended absence in recent months due to a persistent back injury. That problem appears to be the main reason for his decision, as the struggle to return to full fitness proved more difficult than hoped.

After making his debut in the senior side in 1992, McManus went on to play major roles at centre back in the All-Ireland winning sides of 1996 and last year. Previously, he captained Meath to All-Ireland minor success in 1990 and played in the winning under-21 team of 1993. Now aged 28, most Meath supporters would have felt that McManus had a couple more years left in him, but for the time being at any rate, he has decided to call it a day.

Nobody expected any rash decisions from manager Sean Boylan after Sunday's defeat and it will be a couple more weeks before he makes it known how much longer he will stay at the helm. Another year at least appears to be assured, but he stated on Sunday that such an announcement would await another day.

Offaly managed to come through Sunday's memorable win without any injury concerns. One of their heroes, corner forward Vinny Claffey, hobbled off a couple of minutes before the end but that was more to do with tiredness.

On June 25th they will meet the winners of Sunday's encounter between Louth and Kildare - a game which, if Louth win, would bring about a rematch of the Division Two league final. On that occasion, Offaly were the one's caught off-guard by the underdogs.

Ciaran McManus will again miss that encounter due to his two-month suspension, but he would be back in line for the Leinster final on July 30th should Offaly progress.

Elsewhere, Offaly's hurling team received a setback at the weekend with news that corner back Colm Cassidy is likely to miss the rest of the summer after fracturing his ankle in a car crash on Saturday evening. Offaly play Wexford on Sunday week.