The draw for this year’s Antrim championships has added an extra element of expectation for the coming season with Cargin’s Damian Cassidy and his backroom team hoping to lead his side to an unprecedented four in a row in the Senior Football Championship. Managers at the other clubs in division 1 will have other ideas however and today we take a look at the men who will take the reigns at the clubs in division 1 and who will undoubtedly be hoping to lead their respective sides to Senior Football championship success.
Although no date has been given for a start to the 2021 season and group training is not permitted optimism is the key word in most clubs as they set the wheels in motion with management structures set up.
The start of competition is not expected until after the Easter period and in these strange times such is hugely anticipated.
The following is management teams for division one (football)
Kevin Doyle 
Damian Cassidy 
Ronan Devlin
Division One
Erin’s Own Cargin
The Toome men will attempt to extend their recent championship success and Damien Cassidy will lead their management again assisted by Ronan Devlin and Kevin Doyle.
Cargin are likely to extend their panel with additions from their successful under-18 side and championship will be the focus as they attempt to win four in a row.
Gerard and Thomas McNulty in charge at Creggan
Kickham’s Creggan
Having been pipped at the post by their near neighbours and closest rivals last term the Kickham’s men will be aiming to go one step further in 2021 and they have retained the services of the same management structure.
Gerard Mc Nulty leads the way again with his brother Thomas and Peter Mc Collum in assistance.
Mairtin Lynch 
Terry McCrudden
Lamh Dhearg
The Lamhs made it to the semi-final stages of the championship last year and the men from Hannastown will be amongst the front runners in 2021.
Lamh Dhearg have retained the services of Mairtin Lynch to lead the management team for another term in 2021 ably assisted by Terry McCrudden and Deaglan
Paddy Nugent back in charge at St. John’s
St Johns
The Johnnies were up there challenging on both fronts last year and although they made early exit from the football scene they made it all the way to the final of the Hurling.
The Corrigan men have Paddy Nugent back in the hot seat in the managerial role in which he will be assisted by former players Charlie McLarnon, Colly Thompson, and Enda McKenna.
Hugh McGettigan, Rossa manager
O’ Donovan Rossa
The Shaw’s road men got to the quarter-final last year but they are capable of better and will hope to go further this year.
Hugh McGettigan will take charge this term and their popular former player and experienced mentor will be joined in the managerial role by Paul Close.
Owen Doherty 
Barry Dillon
Casement’s Portglenone
The Portglenone men have been knocking on the door over the recent past and with a relatively youthful squad the Bannsider’s may well be contenders this term again.
Barry Dillon retains the reins at O’Cahan Park with Eoin Doherty alongside the Derry man.
St. |Brigid’s manager Anthony McGrath
St Brigid’s
South Belfast based St Brigid’s possibly disappointed a trifle last term but they are more than capable of better with a strong youth based panel at disposal.
Former player Anthony McGrath has been appointed as manager with a selection team yet to be announced.
Paddy Murray in his playing days with St. Gall’s 
Paddy Murray in charge of St. Gall’s for the coming season
St Galls
Former keeper, Paddy Murray is in charge on the Lower Falls and their former net custodian will be aiming to re-ignite the fortunes of the former All Ireland club champions.
The Milltown men aim to regain those glory days and the new man at the helm has established a strong team of assistants to include, Fay Devlin, Mickey Culbert, Paddy Mc Shane, Kieran Stitt, and Gary Wallace.
Michael Shaw who continues with Brian Heaney as the Ahoghill management team 
St. Mary’s Ahoghill
St Mary’s Ahoghill may not be established as front runners for honours in the top division but the Clooney men never lack in character and on their day are capable of giving anyone a run for their money.
They have appointed Castledawson native Brian Heaney in the managerial role ably assisted by Michael Shaw and former players Chris Mc Glone and John Paul Neeson.
Carl McCabe takes over the management role at St. Enda’s Glengormley
St Enda’s
A match for most on their day the Glengormley men came close to gaining All Ireland honours in the Intermediate grade a couple of seasons past and are capable of putting it up to the best on their day.
Frank Fitzsimmons and Pat Hughes have been in charge up at Hightown for a while but they have moved on to pastures new this term.
Carl McCabe is to take charge this term with his assistants yet to be announced.
Kevin Murray in charge at Aghagallon for another season
St. Mary’s Aghagallon
St Mary’s Aghagallon with a youthful squad available have ascended the rankings lately and they will strive to maintain progress this term.
They have given the nod of approval to the previous management duo as Lamh Dhearg man Kevin Murray the custodian of the reins with John Devlin alongside.
Niall Ward after leading St. Patrick’s Lisburn to Junior championship success in 2019 
Niall on duty with Gort na Mona last year
Gort na Mona
Gort na Mona have struggled to make impact in the top grade as yet but they are capable of improvement.
Niall Ward has been retained as manager and the man who led St. Patrick’s Lisburn to Junior success back in 2019 has the know how to bring about improvement at the Turf Lodge club. A selection panel has yet to be revealed.