Monaghan boss Seamus McEnaney has been hit with the withdrawal of two key players from his squad for at least the remainder of the National Football League.

Defenders Gary McQuaid and Damien Freeman have both pulled out of the squad because they are currently out of full-time work and do not look set to return to the Farney set-up for the foreseeable future.

Neither played in Sunday's win against Tyrone and Tyholland clubman McQuaid confirmed that he had left the squad but denied speculation that he was planning to emigrate in search for employment

"I will not be leaving the country, but it is true that I have left the panel," McQuaid told the Irish News.

"It is a lot to do with work. The work has just run out. It is all very quiet," he added.

"I wanted a break from it all. Seamus told me to take a few weeks. I am taking a break until after the National League. I will see what happens after that."

Freeman's exodus is believed to be over similar reason as he is unable to concentrate on his football commitments without full-time work.

County squads all over the country have been hit by the harsh effects of the economic recession, none more so than Donegal who reported that eight members of their squad were unemployed at the end of last year. Tweet

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