‘I love the bones of them' – Tony McEntee bids an emotional farewell to Sligo after five years at the helm
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Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Disappointment for five of Sligo's handballers in series of singles finals
Sligo's hopes for honour rested with five representatives who took on winners from the Munster v Leinster semi-finals two weekends ago. Castleconnor's Martin Cooney always knew his outing against multiple senior and masters medalist, Tom Sheridan of Meath, in the Emerald Masters A singles final, in the opening game on the Mullingar card would be a difficult assignment and so it proved. Cooney did record ten hard earned aces over the two games he conceded but never really threatened the overall outcome. Josian Oskoz from the Drumcliffe club had justifiable high hopes of a first all-Ireland title when he lined out against Kilkenny's Joe Daly in the Golden Masters B decider in the second match. The Sligo man made a real fight of it, in one of the most closely contested final of the Mullingar card, but came up short on an over all 21-17, 21-15. A typically fighting performance from a player who is edging closer each year to all-Ireland glory. Sligo's third contender of the afternoon was Travis Gibbons who took on the highly rated Anthony Clifford from Kilkenny in the all-Ireland Minor Singles final. The son of the well-regarded Timmy Clifford comes from a family steeped in handball pedigree and he was a class above, taking the title impressively in two games. Better days lie ahead for the seventeen year old Gibbons who has that memorable provincial minor singles title to treasure and one further opportunity of ultimate success in the minor grade next year. With three games down at Mullingar, Sligo's hopes of a title rested with Ballymote pair Kevin Meehan and Cormac Finn in their matches at Tuamgraney, Co. Clare. Meehan put in a stirring performance against Wexford's Michael Goggins in the Silver Masters B decider but never really threatened the overall result, a 21-8, 21-10 defeat against a more accomplished opponent. There was still one last hope of glory for Sligo as Cormac Finn lined out against Wexford's Michael Goggins in the Intermediate singles final as the last game at the Co. Clare venue. Finn, who been the once in a generation star of Sligo handball these past three years, having won minor and U21 titles as well as putting in an excellent performance in the senior singles championship two weeks ago knew this was going to be a testing outing. Goggins dominated the opening game and secured it comfortably enough in a 21 aces to 12 scoreline. However, true to form he did just enough to force a tie-break in the third game when he deservedly took the second game by the slenderest of margins. A final game to eleven aces would decide the outcome and this went the way of the impressive Goggins on an 11 aces to 7 scoreline. Credit to all Sligo's finalists, many of whom were only denied glory by small margins, better days lie ahead. It has been a difficult weekend for all round for Connacht contender which saw Galway loose all four contested finals and Mayo, Roscommon and Leitrim lost five others, however much credit to Boyle native Anthony O'Donnell who claimed a master title and to Ballymote native Paul Hedderman, training partner of Cormac Finn and Travis Gibbon, who needed three games to defeat Roscommon's Glen Wash to take the Golden Masters A title. Kells native Garry McConnell, who Cormac Finn ran so close in the senior singles quarter-final two weeks ago, claimed his first every Senior Singles title at the expense of eleven-time senior singles champion Robbie McCarthy Jr. from Mullingar. McConnell took the opening game easily 21-8 and McCarthy, who was clearly not near his best, took an injury time out in the second and retired soon after. Further details of the Ballisodare Alley Centenary celebration, which takes place on August 30th and 31st will be available in next week's issue.
The 42
2 days ago
- The 42
Mark Doran appointed Antrim senior football manager
MARK DORAN HAS been appointed as manager of the Antrim senior football team. The Slaughtneil manager and former Down footballer succeeds Andy McEntee in the role. Antrim GAA confirmed the news this evening, noting that Doran's management and backroom team will be announced in due course. Advertisement The highly regarded coach has worked with county teams from all four provinces, having been involved with his native Down, Clare, Wicklow, and most recently, Roscommon. He coached with the Rossies last season, having previously been in the running for the Derry job. Doran co-managed Ballybay to the Monaghan football title in 2022. An Antrim GAA statement reads: 'Over the past number of years, Mark has been involved at the highest levels of the game, including coaching roles with Down, Clare, and Roscommon senior football teams, and team management with Ballybay and Slaughtneil. 'His contributions have been widely praised across the counties he has worked with, helping teams improve performance and compete at provincial and national levels.' 'Mark has built a solid reputation as a coach and manager,' Antrim county committee chairperson Seamus McMullan added. 'His depth of experience and understanding of the modern game make him an ideal fit to lead our senior footballers forward. 'We wish Mark and the panel the very best and look forward to the 2026 season'. Antrim bowed out of the Tailteann Cup at the preliminary quarter-final stage this summer, following a 5-23 to 2-21 defeat to Wexford. The Saffron were condemned to relegation in the National Football League, and will play in Division 4 in 2026. *****
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Mark Doran confirmed as new Antrim boss after Andy McEntee's departure
Doran, who guided Ballybay to Monaghan glory in 2022, was hotly tipped for other roles before landing the Antrim job FRESH START Mark Doran confirmed as new Antrim boss after Andy McEntee's departure MARK DORAN is the new Antrim senior football manager. The Down native, who is currently in charge of Derry outfit Slaughtneil, takes the reins following the three-year tenure of Andy McEntee. 2 Mark Doran has been confirmed as new Antrim manager 2 Doran takes the reigns from the departing Andy McEntee Advertisement Doran was strongly linked to the Derry job last season following the departure of Mickey Harte. However, he ultimately joined the Roscommon backroom ticket under Davy Burke. Formerly a coach with Down, Clare and Wicklow, Doran was also co-manager of the Ballybay side that claimed the Monaghan SFC title in 2022. He takes over an Antrim side who were relegated to NFL Division 4 this year. The Saffrons then lost an Ulster quarter-final to Armagh, before being knocked out of the Tailteann Cup at the preliminary quarter-final stage by Wexford. Advertisement Antrim GAA chairperson Seamus McMullan said: 'Mark has built a solid reputation as a coach and manager. "His depth of experience and understanding of the modern game make him an ideal fit to lead our senior footballers forward.' Doran's appointment in Antrim leaves Westmeath, Fermanagh and Waterford as the only remaining counties with senior football managerial vacancies to fill.
