All-Ireland winner Clarke takes over at St Paul’s

Armagh’s 2002 All-Ireland winning full forward Ronan Clarke has taken over from Shane McConville as manager of St Paul’s.

McConville stepped down following his sides heart-breaking one point defeat to Shane O’Neill’s in the Armagh Intermediate Final last weekend.

McConville won the Senior Championship with Maghery in 2016, two years after leading St Paul’s to Intermediate glory and steps aside after one year in charge.

Clarke takes over the Lurgan outfit having been involved with Keady last season in a coaching capacity.

The 2002 Young Player of the Year has also spent time with other clubs in the Orchard County including his own Pearse Og, Tullysaran and Silverbridge.

Pearse Og, who will compete in the Intermediate Championship next season, also have a new manager in place as Garreth Thornton takes over from the outgoing Conor Clarke, Ronan’s younger brother.

Thornton guided Belleek to a Junior Championship title in 2021 and took them to within a whisker of promotion from Division 2A this season.

Former Pearse Og midfielder Chris Rafferty will take his first leap into management next year as he takes charge of Grange, with Ronan McAlinden stepping down after one year in the hotseat.

Several senior clubs are currently on the lookout for new managers, including Madden, Dromintee and Clan na Gael.