Changes on club manager front across county

The managerial merry-go-round is in full swing around the county and in a surprise move, The Downs have parted company with manager Johnny Murray after just one year at the helm.

The black and ambers came within a whisker of winning the senior football title, losing to St Loman’s, Mullingar in a penalty shootout, a format the majority of people have since labelled as unfair and cruel.

The Downs were less than a minute away from victory in the drawn encounter, but St Loman’s worked the ball downfield from the final kick-out for Eoghan Hogan to score the equalising

point.

Mr Murray, who coached teams right through the underage setup in the club and is a passionate and proud supporter of The Downs, said he was shocked at the decision.

“The feedback we as a management team were getting from the players all year was very positive. We played for long spells without key men and did really well, but just came up short in the final. I have received calls from Niall Mitchell and Luke Loughlin who both said they were surprised at the decision, but that’s the nature of management I guess,” he said.

The Downs’ manager felt he was left with no choice but to resign following an "anonymous survey" in which he failed to secure the full backing of the players or the support of club officers.

This year's backroom team included Liam Joyce, whom Murray rates very highly, and Daniel McDermott.

The club offered no comment in relation to Murray’s departure. It is understood Dermot Power will take charge of The Downs next year and with a full complement of players, they will again be among the leading challengers for the Flanagan Cup.

Elsewhere, Shandonagh have parted company with Kevin Hickey after they were relegated from senior to intermediate football. They endured a very difficult season in group two of the senior championship and defeat against Moate All Whites saw them return to the second tier where they will be one of the main contenders for the Peter Geraghty Cup.

The managerial set-ups in a number of clubs across the county are being put in place before the start of the new season and football clubs are likely to be faced with the challenge of preparing for the new rules.

Tang have a new manager in Longford’s Stephen Coy (Killoe), while Micheál Burke is the new manager of Mullingar Shamrocks. Conn Cleary returns as Killucan boss, while Garrycastle, intermediate winners, are set to retain Gary Dolan and Karl Henson. It is understood defeated finalists Milltown will have a new manager as Pete Ballesty’s time comes to an end.

Coralstown/Kinnegad will have somebody new alongside Jack Cooney as Paschal Kellaghan has reunited with his native Rhode club for next year. Eddie Kinsella is set to return as Tyrrellspass manager and St Malachy’s will have Tom Browne back at the helm.

It is expected Paddy Dowdall will return as manager of St Loman's, Mullingar as they bid to win a hat-trick of senior football titles, while Caulry are expected to have former Westmeath manager Pat Flanagan at the helm again.

Kilbeggan Shamrocks will have a new manager as Niall O’Brien has joined the Westmeath senior football backroom team.

In junior, Ballynacargy, relegated this year, have installed Enda Sheridan as their new manager and the former Castledaly coach will be joined by Alan Mullen of Rosemount.

It is understood this year’s finalists St Joseph’s will have a new manager for the 2025 campaign.