What Conor McManus can do with a football should never be taken for granted.
In an era of athleticism and defence, he has consistently and beautifully managed to elevate himself above the trenches that players have been trying to drag him into his whole life.
Even with a naturally light make-up, McManus has railed against the modern day changes. He put weight on himself – over a stone and a half – and he kept polishing off the skills of the game to such an extent that it meant no muscle or blanket could stop him.
As a ball-winner, there’s no-one better. As a kicker, there’s no-one better.
For a second successive campaign, the Monaghan man finished the International Rules series as the Irish player of the series.
In 2015, he won the GAA Medal and, again on Saturday, he was honoured in defeat.
In total, McManus hit 40 points in two games – far and away the top scorer of either country.
Despite racking up no major six-pointers by hitting the net, he split the posts 12 times in one of the most intense games on the planet.
- First test – 24 points (0-7-3)
- Second test – 16 points (0-5-1)
In six games in the International Rules, he’s scored 97 points – an average of over 16 per game.
But it’s the flight of the ball when it leaves his foot, it’s the curve of the thing. Every time it’s like he has already mapped out its path and the ball simply follows it within the tramlines that McManus has pre-planned.
What a kick by #IRS2017 Vice-Captain & @monaghangaa star Conor McManus! Enjoy in-game and on-demand clips with GAANOW! pic.twitter.com/0wTl0QM1o7
— The GAA (@officialgaa) November 13, 2017
Ireland's Player of the Series Conor McManus was superb today in the #IRS2017 Second Test! What a finish this was! Take a look with GAANOW! pic.twitter.com/Ahj3sOkzCq
— The GAA (@officialgaa) November 18, 2017
At 29 years of age, the forward’s star continues to shine even brighter and brighter with each passing season but, as he keeps producing on the international stage, international heads keep turning.
https://twitter.com/irfsofficial/status/931828667067416576
For a fourth series in a row, the Farney man finished as the top scorer of either nation.
What’s Conor McManus’ story? Did AFL clubs ever come knocking?
— Nick Wade (@nick_wade) November 18, 2017
If they didn’t come before, plenty of people want them to come now.
Conor McManus could definitely have a crack at Aussie Rules in the future. Great kick of the ball
— Alex Jovanovski (@alexjovanovski) November 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/westsport/status/931826889605263360
Would love to see McManus play AFL #AUSvsIRE #VirginIRS
— Drew Semmens (@drewie_5) November 18, 2017
Gee if Feely was a couple of years younger you'd be chasing his signature for a rookie AFL spot.
Got the lot. . . and McManus too obviously#AUSvIRE @7Sport @7AFL @rohan_connolly— John Willowhite (@jwilla14) November 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/patbcaruana/status/931824961613737984
Sorry folks, he’s Ireland’s greatest tourist attraction. You’ll have to relocate to enjoy this prime bit of real estate.
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