Cargin move to retain management for 2023 season

By Michael McMullan

CARGIN have confirmed that Ronan Devlin will stay on as manager for the 2023 season.

Devlin, who was part of former manager Damian Cassidy’s backroom team for previous championship wins, took over as manager this season and delivered the McNamee Cup.

Cargin had a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Naomh Conaill before going down at the hands of Glen in the Ulster semi-final.

After winning their 11th county title, Devlin admitted the goal was to “make a dent” in Ulster after previously failing to get over the first round.

Earlier in the week, Devlin indicated that no discussion had taken place on his position for next season.

The club announced on Saturday that Devlin – with selectors Fabian Muldoon and Kevin Doyle – will be at the helm when they begin the defence of their title next season.

It will be more of the same with 2021 champions Creggan after Gerard McNulty confirmed he will be staying on as manager for a fourth season with his brother Thomas.

He came on board under former manager Kevin Madden and stayed on, guiding the Kickhams to glory in 2021, the club’s first senior title in 67 years.

They lost their grip on the McNamee Cup after extra-time in this year’s semi-final with Tomás McCann popping over a late winner for the eventual champions.

There will be no change in Madden’s native Portglenone where John McKeever has returned for a second season with the Casements, hoping to bridge the gap to the elusive first senior championship.

They were the box seat against Aghagallon in last season’s semi-final before shipping a late, late goal.

Aghagallon, runners up in the last two seasons, are in the hunt for a new manager after Audi Kelly stepped down at the end of the season.