By Shaun Casey

JOHN Boyle has been appointed as the new manager of top Intermediate Championship contenders Clann na Banna. The Warrenpoint native takes over from Paddy Feeney, who spent four years in charge of the club.

Boyle has been over his native Warrenpoint over the past few seasons and played for the club when they reached SFC county finals in 2019 and 2022, when they came up short against Kilcoo.

He will be joined in the dugout by Warrenpoint clubman and former Down player Ryan McAleenan, who was also a member of Boyle’s backroom team in Warrenpoint.

Clann na Banna reached the Intermediate Championship in 2024, but lost out to Drumgath while they fell at the semi-final stage this year with Annaclone edging them out by a point after a replay.

The Banbridge club will operate in Division Two of the league next season having gained promotion in 2025. They finished in second place in Division Three, behind Annaclone, winning 11 of their 18 matches.