Derry appoint new camogie boss

By Michael McMullan

DERRY ratified Martin Coulter as their new senior camogie manager at a meeting last night.

The Oakleafers, with former Bellaghy defender Paddy Downey in his first year as Chairperson, have secured Coulter to replace Ciaran Cunningham who stepped down after Derry’s exit at the hands of Meath in last year’s All-Ireland campaign.

Coulter will have former Derry player Danny McGrellis on the management team as coach. McGrellis has managed Swatragh hurlers and was coach with Ballinascreen in recent seasons.

Martin, an Ulster Club winner with Ballygalget, managed both Glenariffe and Glenravel hurling teams. More recently he coached Tír na nÓg Randalstown camogs to the 2020 intermediate title. The rest of the backroom team has yet to be clarified.

It comes on the back of news that Down’s appointment of Paul Donnelly as their new senior camogie manager. Donnelly, from St Paul’s in Belfast, was the lead figure in Antrim’s Gaelfast project before leaving the post. Michael Glover, also a native of St Paul’s, will join as Head Coach, after Sleacht Néill’s 2021 season comes to an end.

On the club scene, there been the usual activity as committees finalise their management teams ahead of the new season.

Derry clubs Newbridge and Magherafelt are both searching for a senior football manager for the 2022 season after Killian Conlan and Adrian Cush, respectively, stepped down at the end of last season.

Derry intermediate finalists Greenlough have appointed Cargin man Darren Craig as their new manager, with former player Cormac O’Neill also on board.

They take over from Joe Cassidy who has recently taken over at Antrim club Glenravel, with Greenlough man Paul Downey as part of his management team.

Claudy have appointed Ballinascreen man Paul Devlin as their new manager, taking over from Emmett McKeever who stepped down after their relegation play-off win over Newbridge.

Devlin managed ‘Screen Ladies to their first ever title in 2018 and was part of Mickey Moran’s Ulster winning management team in Kilcoo.

Claudy’s Peter Murphy has been confirmed as the new Limavady manager, taking over from Karl Diamond. Murphy who championship as a player with Claudy in 2005 and steered their minors to a championship in 2018.

Across the Bann in Antrim, Raskarkin have appointed Creggan duo Ciaran McCartney and Adrian Dougan as their new management team.

They take over from John McTaggart and Stephen Hardy who helped steer Raskarkin to promotion from Division Three before losing the championship final to St Comgall’s after penalties. McCartney came on board to train the team last season and – along with former goalkeeper Donal McLernon – forms a link with the new management.

In Armagh, Conor Clarke has been appointed as the new manager of Pearse Óg.

Clarke, who played in their 2009 winning team, stepped in as caretaker manager when the club and manager Shane McConville parted company. Clarke, who follows in the footsteps of his father Adrian – a former Ógs manager – played until last season and when out injured he stepped into management.