Conor McManus has warmly welcomed Malachy O'Rourke's decision to commit to Monaghan for another three years, suggesting that it would have been a "disaster" if he had stepped down.

The Fermanagh native delivered Ulster SFC titles in 2013 and 2015, but there were fears he might walk away after the Farney County's early and surprise championship exit at the hands of Longford this year, which came just six days after they were beaten by Donegal in their Ulster SFC semi-final replay.

"He's been excellent since he came in. It would have been a disaster for us if he was to move on," All Star forward McManus said.

"But I don't think it was ever going to happen. I suppose Malachy had to gather his own thoughts after the year and obviously he would have been as disappointed as us. So it was just a matter of taking a week or two to himself and then making his decision. Thankfully, staying on was the decision he came up with so I'm very much looking forward to the new season.

"It's great for the county. It brings a sort of continuity together rather than this idea of, 'He's there for one year and see what happens', a last throw of the dice type of thing.

"That's not the case. It's very much building for the next three years and seeing where that takes us."

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