“When you play with your county, you give everything you can but, ultimately, you’ll always come back to the club. That’s where it starts and that’s where it will all finish.”
Conor McManus looks out at the Clontibret pitch and he thinks about where it all began.
On a breezy, August morning, he journeys down to the club, he remembers chasing footballs behind the goals and he dreams of even bigger things ahead.
Monaghan have never won an All-Ireland before. They’ve made it to one final yet here they are, with another Ulster title under their belts and their skipper from Clontibret leading the charge with no fear.
The Farney men head for Croke Park on Saturday into a quarter final with Tyrone intent on going even further. Kerry lie in wait in the semis and, if Conor McManus can help it, they are going to make that date with the Kingdom.
This is what he grew up wishing for. Now, his time has come.
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