Conor McManus is the perfect example… of everything.
Of how important practice is.
Of how important skills are. Confidence. Of attackers even, in an age where they said forwards like him were going extinct.
He’s the perfect example, too, of how to make the most of what we have.
Conor McManus is never going to carry 15 stone of muscle. He’s naturally light, he has a smaller frame than say a Michael Murphy but by God he has worked damned hard to get into the shape he’s in now.
McManus in 2008
McManus in 2017
He’s grown into his frame – naturally, with the years but through some real brute hard work too.
He’s added serious muscle to his upper body and his legs and he’s as highly-conditioned as a man with his disposition probably ever will be. His dedication off the field has paid as much dividends as his obvious endless hours of practice on it but, it’s funny: when someone’s as skillful and as accomplished as the Clontibret man is, the compliments almost work in the opposite direction.
Whilst big men are praised for not neglecting what’s important – the football – men with the ability of Monaghan’s captain are revered for how they improve themselves even further with their conditioning.
And, as Mayo were beaten in Castlebar by the Ulster side, it was the usual suspect to the fore again as he kicked six scores – two from play, one from a 45′, one from a sideline – to inspire not just his county to victory, but the rest of the country as he inevitably does with his performances.
The Farney goal was brought about by the iconic number 15 too. Serious hands, serious adventure, serious raw power.
A ball is pumped in high to the full forward line – any ball is worthwhile when McManus is in there
It always starts with movement
It develops with his glue-like hands
It escalates with his ambition
Donal Vaughan is shrugged off but Keith Higgins is sticky
McManus is strong though
Higgins is toast
“You better make yourself comfortable down there, boy”
Then he just needs to pick out the run of Darren Hughes who finishes the most crucial score of the night
Monaghan win. The McManus train gathers more momentum – literally.
