Down clubs confirm 2021 management teams

A NUMBER of Down clubs have finalised their management teams for the 2021 season, whenever the new campaign does actually begin.

There have been a lot of moves at the top level with Jim McCorry taking on Burren, Tyrone man Ciaran McBride moving to Clonduff and Shane Mulholland replacing Niall McAleenan at Warrenpoint.

Outside of Division One, Ballymartin will have a father-son duo in place with Paul Duffin and his son Kevin taking on the Whites. Darragh Cross have a high-profile management team in place in the form of DJ Kane and Enda Gormley – a sign that they mean business.

Drumgath made it to the Intermediate final last year where they lost to Saul. Jack Lynch remains the manager with Niall Fitzpatrick as assistant. Ciaran Brannigan has come into the management team as the side’s new coach.

Danny Hughes is the new manager of Division Two side Castlewellan while Brendan Mason will once again be over Belfast side Bredagh as they aim to keep moving forward this year.

Warrenpoint man Ronan McMahon, who had been over Tullylish last year, has moved to Ballymacnab in Armagh to be part of Mick O’Dowd’s management team and the Laurencetown club will be coached by David Corbett, Seamus O’Hare and Stephen Haddock this season.

Elsewhere, John Haughey is remaining with Annaclone while former Down forward Ronan Sexton will be over Saval. Sexton’s backroom includes Ciaran Lynch, John Paul Quinn, Adrian Savage and Marty Poland.

Glenn will work with much of the same team as last season with Tony Bagnall, Brendan Grant and Stephen O’Hare in place. Marty McEvoy had been part of their 2020 management team but is unable to commit this year.

Teconnaught’s management team will be Donnan Ritchie and Phelim Sharvin while Pierce Caherty is still with Newry Bosco.

Aughlisnafin will have Dolen Croskery in charge for a third season as they try to finally end the wait for the Junior crown.

His backroom team will consist of Connor Rea, Gerard Leneghan and Gerard O’Hare.