By Shaun Casey

FORMER Antrim captain Declan Lynch believes that appointing Paddy Bradley as the new Antrim manager would be a “positive” move for the Saffron County after reports linking the Derry legend to the post.

Bradley has been earmarked to replace Andy McEntee, who held the position for the last three seasons. Bradley had previously been involved with Donegal, joining up with Aidan O’Rourke as joint interim managers midway through the 2023 season following Paddy Carr’s exit.

The Glenullin man, who won two Intermediate Championships with his home club in recent years, spent a season coaching with Antrim, back in 2014, when his father Liam returned for a second stint as manager.

“It’s positive that Antrim can attract that sort of potential manager,” said Lynch. “He’s been in with Donegal, he’s been in with Antrim before, so he knows the set up and he’s worked with one or two players from that time.

“It’ll be a good appointment. Obviously, his playing career speaks for itself, he was one of the best forwards in Ireland and for Antrim to be able to attract someone like that is positive but no doubt he has a job on his hands.”

Lynch was part of the panel in 2014, but having received hip surgery, he missed a large chunk of the campaign, although he did return in time for the championship.

“Paddy McBride was there and Ryan Murray as well. They’ve worked with him before so at least he’ll know a couple of faces but he’s obviously well respected already coming in.”

Antrim suffered relegation to Division Four this season and crashed out of the Tailteann Cup at the preliminary quarter-final stage. Lynch suggests that the main objective next year has to be promotion from the bottom tier.

“Division Four has to be the goal for that squad. It was a poor season last year; they were relegated but then produced a very good 40 or 50 minutes against the All-Ireland champions at the time Armagh.

“The Tailteann Cup, maybe there were injuries, you just don’t know but it was a poor end to the season.

“The whole of Antrim will be behind Paddy and it’s up to him to get the lads in to play, which I have no doubt they will.

“The best players in Antrim will come out and play and then it’s up to them to hit the ground running because Division Four is a complete dogfight but they need to get out of Division Four and start climbing the leagues.

“Kieran McGeeney had ten years with Armagh and I’m not comparing the two, but does three years really cut it?

“ It could maybe have to be more than a three-year plan for Antrim because we need to do something and do something very quick.”