Doran in the running for Antrim football role

BBC News

3 days ago

Slaughtneil boss Mark Doran has emerged a candidate for the Antrim senior football manager's job.The Saffrons have yet to appoint a successor to Andy McEntee, whose three-year term ended following the Tailteann Cup defeat against Wexford in June, with an invitation for applications sent out in July.Longstone native Doran was linked to the Derry job last year following the departure of Mickey Harte but instead took up a coaching role with Roscommon under manager Davy Burke, who has since departed.Doran previously held a coaching role with his native Down between 2019 and 2021, whilst helping guide Ballybay to the 2022 Monaghan title as co-manager. He has also held coaching roles in Clare and Wicklow before the switch to the Rossies in 2025. He stepped down as Slaughtneil manager following their Derry SFC semi-final defeat to Glen last year but was reappointed in March.Interviews for the Antrim job are due to take place on Monday evening with Louth's Colin Kelly also in the running.Kelly managed his home county to successive promotions from Division Four and Division Three in 2016 and 2017 before spells with Westmeath, Wicklow and most recently, Cavan club side Kingscourt Stars.Also in the frame is former St Brigid's manager Anthony McGrath, who was a coach under Stephen Poacher in Leitrim this year, while Barry Dillon, who led Ulster University to the 2024 Sigerson Cup, has also been nominated.Paddy Bradley had been linked to the role, but last week it emerged he had withdrawn from the race.