Creggan stick with what they know

DEFEATED county champions Creggan will keep the same management team for the upcoming season as they attempt to make up for the shortcomings of 2020.

The Kickham’s reached the final for the second time in three years, and were defeated by Cargin, their neighbours who had beat them in 2018.

Thomas and Gerard McNulty were in their first year as managers last year, and they have returned for a second campaign. They took over from Kevin Madden who was in charge for four seasons in-a-row, and led Creggan to that final in 2018.
There have been a number of other management confirmations recently.

An interesting appointment is Carl McCabe’s arrival at Naomh Eanna. The Glengormley side were managed by Frankie Fitzsimons for three seasons and he made them very competitive and helped to lead them to Intermediate Championship glory in Ulster. Last year he got them to the knockout stages but they lost to Creggan in the quarter-finals.

McCabe brings a wealth of experience as he has managed both St Gall’s and Omagh in recent years and was successful with both of those clubs. The backroom team is yet to be confirmed

Belfast side St Brigid’s will have Anthony McGrath in charge of their footballers for the 2021 season. He takes over from Eunan Conway who had a frustrating championship as his team missed out on place in the knockout stages when they only won two of their six group games.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Lamh Dhearg’s management will be the same as last year. Martin Lynch was part of the management team that led them to glory in 2017, and he got them to the final in 2019. They will feel that they are in great shape to win the title back.

Portglenone ran Lamh Dhearg to three games a couple of years ago, a series of game that highlighted how competitive Antrim has become. Barry Dillon was in charge then and is back for his third year as manager.

St John’s have a new manager in Paddy Nugent who takes over from John Kelly and Mark Bohill. Last year the Johnnies lost both their round robin games.

Hugh McGettigan, the former Antrim underage coach, will manage Rossa’s footballers. He takes over from Sean Fleming who was in charge for two seasons.

St Gall’s have Paddy Murray in for his second year in charge.

Hurling
St John’s hurlers will be managed by Brian McFall, who was part of the county u-20 hurling management last year. Michael Johnson was the manager last year but he has moved on to take Gort na Mona’s hurlers.
Rossa’s hurlers will be yet again be managed by Colly Murphy, who returns after taking the team last season. Rossa caught the eye last year when they enjoyed a brilliant draw with Dunloy in the group stages. However, come the knockout stages, Dunloy won outright.