By Niall McCoy

ARMAGH Championship winning manager Tommy Coleman has said that “the time is right” to step away from the side after two seasons in charge.

The Lurgan man, his management team and players have ensured legendary status around the club as they claimed a first title since 1963 back in November, and only the third in the club’s history.

After forging an extremely difficult path past Grange, Maghery, Ballymacnab and Crossmaglen to claim the Armagh crown, the side went on to defeat Antrim champions Creggan in the Ulster Club quarter-final.

Their provincial run came to an end on Saturday evening against Fermanagh champions Derrygonnelly. They trailed 3-2 to 0-0 early on and a hammering looked on the cards, but they responded very well and could have been much closer than the eventual six-point losing margin.

“It’s maybe that three-year syndrome, things can change,” Coleman told Gaelic Life.

“We have a big squad and a lot of those lads are pushing on and pushing hard. If I was to stay around another year maybe they may not bring the same intensity, the same vigour – and that’s necessary if they are to stay at the top table.

“I look back at the year and the joy they brought to everyone, everyone was so delighted. The scenes on the night we won were magic, it was just an incredible year and to be able to enjoy that with your own club, well money can’t buy that.”

Colemain paid special tribute to the Clann Éireann players for their efforts in bringing the Gerry Fagan Cup home this season.

“They are just the best to work with,” said Coleman, who didn’t rule out returning to the role down the line.

“They are so self-driven, they carry themselves so well. They won with a lot of grace and they lost with a lot of grace. The work the management team put in, all the underage coaches, it paid off.

“It’s funny when I came in it was to sort of to steady the ship, try and get to Division 1A, hold that position, get a few more lads into the intercounty shop window and then hopefully become realistic challengers.

“It turns out we were well ahead of schedule.”

Elsewhere, Conor Clarke has been confirmed as the new manager of Pearse Og. ‘Shorty’ helped the club to a 2009 county title and the Ogs have also confirmed that Fergal Duffy will take on their ladies team.

Ronan McAlinden, who guided St Peter’s to the 2018 Intermediate crown, takes over at Grange.

Killeavy, meanwhile, are hoping to confirm their new management in the coming days. Their former boss Stevie McDonnell has called time with Tyrone club Clonoe.

END OF THE ROAD…Clann Éireann’s season came to an end against Derrygonnelly