"White Heat Of Championship": Monaghan Boss Explains Touchline Row With Ger Brennan

Monaghan claimed a massive victory over Leinster champions Louth this evening in Newbridge, winning decisively by a scoreline of 1-23 to 4-08.

The Farney men held Louth to just twelve scores, even if Louth showed their continued propensity to bag goals.

Louth are just the latest provincial champion to be toppled in the opening game of the 2025 round robin. Galway and Donegal were also handed surprise defeats.

While the final scoreline indicated a comfortable win for Monaghan, there were a few tense moments on the sideline amongst both coaching tickets.

In the 60th minute of the game, a chaotic passage of play - a free out for a steps infraction on Sam Mulroy, a black card for Louth's Donal McKenny, and black card for Killian Lavelle of Monaghan -lead to a coming-together between Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan and Louth manager Ger Brennan.

On GAA+ commentary, Liam Aherne noted 'pushing and shoving' on the far sideline but by the time the camera cut to the technical era, Brennan and Bannigan had been pulled apart.

A number of supporters were incensed by what had gone on.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio One after the game, Bannigan made it clear he wasn't going to hold any grudges over the incident.

RTÉ: It was a little bit hot and heavy off the field as well. There was an incident around the time Killian Lavelle was blackcarded. Yourself and Ger Brennan getting up close and personal.

GB: There was nothing in it. Myself and Ger had a good chat before the game, and we had a good chat after the game. Absolutely nothing in it at all. I was annoyed with something that happened on the pitch. He was annoyed by something that happened on the pitch.

RTÉ: Who was right?

GB: I'll say I was right. He'll say he was right. Look it, it doesn't matter. White heat of Championship. Myself and Ger are good friends off the pitch. No issue whatsoever.

With four Division Two teams in the group, Monaghan will fancy their chances of earning a bye into the quarterfinals on the back of today's win.

Bannigan told RTÉ that his side will not be taking Monaghan's next opponents Clare lightly, despite the big defeat they suffered to Down last weekend.

We have Clare coming to Clones next week. Two years ago in Clones, they came June bank holiday weekend. They gave us their fill of it. It took a goal from Conor McCarthy to get us over the line in that one. We're expecting a reaction from Clare. They'll be coming looking for their first points and we need to be ready.