Boyle staying with Warrenpoint

By Shaun Casey

JOHN Boyle will remain in charge of Warrenpoint for the upcoming campaign having performed a player-manager role last season.

Warrenpoint’s season ended in disappointment as they failed to reach the last eight of the championship, losing to Mayobridge in round three. The Point have reached two county finals in recent years, 2022 and 2019, losing to Kilcoo by one point on both occasions.

Boyle’s backroom team is made up of former Down defender and Warrenpoint teammate Ryan McAleenan along with Conor McGarry and Daniel Bird.

Warrenpoint hurlers have also held onto the same management team as last year with ex-Armagh manager Sylvestor McConnell and Marty Houlihan back for another campaign.

Loughinisland have a new management team in place with former player and Down GAA coaching coordinator Conor O’Toole replacing the outgoing Kevin Duffin.

Loughinisland came extremely close to capturing the Division One league title last season but were pipped at the post by Carryduff. The same team ended their run in the championship, knocking Loughinisland out in round three by the minimum of margins.

O’Toole, who won an Ulster Intermediate title with Loughinisland as a player in 2015, has added Chris Brannigan and Cormac O’Toole to his management setup for the upcoming year.

Longstone have a new manager in place for the 2024 season with former Ballymartin boss Ciaran Brannigan taking over the reins. Longstone were knocked out of the championship in round three, losing to Ballyholland Harps by 11 points.

Barry Cunningham has replaced Brannigan as Ballymartin boss. Ballymartin reached the last eight of the Intermediate Championship in 2023 but lost to Annaclone by 10 points.

Annaclone have retained the services of former Down player John Clarke, who featured at full forward when the Mourne County reached the All-Ireland final in 2010.

Clarke led Annaclone to the Intermediate semi-finals last season but were beaten in the end by eventual champions Liatroim, with five points the difference at full time.