Geordie McGuckian takes a look at the management teams in division 1 for 2024
Although the date for the commencement of the 2024 football programme has not yet been announced, it is obvious that a majority of clubs are well prepared with the majority of them having already set the proverbial wheels in motion having management in place.
There is a propsed change to league and championship structures for this year but the final changes have not been discussed and approved by clubs yet. That will no happen until Monday week. Never the less clubs have attended to managerial matters and are ready for the off.
SUGGESTIONS
Division 1 is to comprise of sixteen teams in two groups 1A and IB with teams expecting to endure relegation set to remain in the top grade and similarly those who had missed out on promotion given a place in the top tier.
Sixteen teams will start in the top division and all have management in place for the 2024 season divided in two groups with the respective winners of the individual divisions to meet in a final to decide the league winner.
Portglenone
Casement’s Portglenone took their first ever Division one title and the Bannsider’s custodians of the Eddie Fitzsimmons Memorial trophy have retained the services of the man who led them to 2023 glory with John McKeever still holding the reins and aided by Damien Hagen and Adrian McKeever
Cargin
Erin’s Own Cargin finished behind the Bannsider’s in the race but gained adequate competition when they went on to secure the senior championship.
Ronan Devlin, who guided the Toome men to their 12th title, unsurprisingly retains the hot seat at the Shore road club and will again be joined on the side line by Fabien Muldoon and Kevin Doyle with JC Devlin and Donal McKeever alsopart of the backroom team.
Dunloy
Cuchullian’s Dunloy will ply their league trade in a lower division but the beaten senior finalists in this competition last term will be in the race for the senior title again.
Anthony McQuillan had a firm hand on the managerial reins, leading the dual club to the senior football final will hope to take his side one step further in 2024 and he will announce his backroom team at a later stage.
St Mary’s Aghagallon
St Mary’s Aghagallon enjoyed another good season last term and they gave the Cargin men a real run for their money in 2023.
Little separated them from the eventual championship winners in a close fought semi-final which could have gone either way.
The men from the Antrim Armagh border have retained the services of Peter Mc Grath in the managerial role and the living legend who had led Down to All Ireland glory will again be assisted by his son Peter on the side line.
Lamh Dhearg
Lamh Dhearg possibly failed to reach their best last term and will hope for better this season and they will be anticipating a lively start to 2024.
They have looked for a new hand at the helm this term as Stephen Ramsey takes a grip on the tiller.
The former St Paul’s player, who was on the side line at the Ranch for a time will look to regain the spark up on the hill…
Kickham’s Creggan.
Creggan took a while to get going last term and although they did remain as contenders in the latter stages, a slow start possibly hindered their positive intentions.
The South West side are never to be ruled out of the equation and they have gone for the services of former Bellaghy man, Joe Cassidy to take a place on their side line.
Cassidy who led the Con Magees to glory in 2023, gaining a league and championship double, ensuring the Glensmen’s return to the top grade will take a joint managerial position at Creggan accompanied by Odhran McLernon and their side will be strong contenders.
St Mary’s Ahoghill
The Clooney men enjoyed a good 2023 season under a ‘home grown management’ with former player Chris McGlone taking a firm grip of the reins.
Ahoghill have retained trust with last year’s manager with McGlone back in charge and he will be accompanied by Mick Shaw, Conor Scullion, and P J Townsend and the St Mary’s men are expected to ruffle a few feathers again in 2024.
St John’s
The Johnnies go marching on theme, has been somewhat muted over the past generation but the Corrigan park side, who have breasted the winning line as Antrim football champions on 24 occasions, have not raised the silverware since 1998.
St. John’s are never off the radar but those barren years on the football front have been a source of huge disappointment.
Aaron Douglas, who is to be aided by Seamus O’ Prey in the managerial roles this term will endeavour to get the best out of his charges but although character will not be in question, improvement in the blue and white is required if they are to return to those glory days.
O’ Donovan Rossa
The Shaw’s road based Rossa side have been seen in the role of challengers in both football and hurling for a time but they have waited over 30 years for a 17th football title and although never lacking in endeavour the dual nature of football/hurling possibly acts as a deterrent.
Hugh McGettigan and Paul Close have held the managerial reigns for a number of years and take up their roles again this term but although their respective qualities on the line cannot be questioned, their side will again be challengers that 17th title may again elude them this year.
Tir na nOg
Tir na nOg have to go back to the last century and the year 1902 to mark the date of their one and only senior football championship.
The Whitehill side have tasted victory in the hurling, taking three titles in that period but although they have been competitive in both codes over the years another title has eluded them.
The Randalstown men have competed well in division 1 in the last two years but have found senior championship tough going.
Former player Odhran McNeilly retains management for the year ahead and although his side may not be challengers in the senior grade the Whitehill men are not to be discounted.
St Brigid’s
St Brigid’s have yet to secure a senior title but improvement has been noted in their record over the recent past and their success at under-age level has included minor and under-21 titles and has hinted at better times ahead.
The Musgrave Park side have added several South Derry recruits to their colours in the recent past and are under an Oak Leaf management team and with John and Pat McGuckin in charge they are not to be discounted in the race for senior honours.
St Gall’s
Former County, Provisional, and All Ireland club champions St Gall’s looked to be on the decline recently but the Milltown men have steadied the ship again of late and they will look to retain such positivity again this term.
Former playing legend Terry O’ Neill has taken the managerial role up at Milltown and he will be hoping to raise the profile in the blue and white in the near future.
Con Magees Glenravel
It has been a while but after a few years in the lower division Glenravel have gained promotion in style last term and have arrived at their destination and a place in the top grade.
Although one of last year’s successful management team has moved on the Glensmen retain the services of Paul Downey, Paul Muldoon, and Aiden McCafferty and will hope to build on last year’s success.
The Glensmen may take time to find their feet but they are not to be discounted in the top grade.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
Having gained reprieve from a life in the second grade Moneyglass will again play their football in former player Benny Marron, who was part of the St. John’s management team in the last couple of years, takes the top job in his own club and he will enjoy the services of a talented youthful squad.
Moneyglass will not be looked on as favourites in this domain by many but they are more than capable of causing upset.
St Enda’s
St Enda’s endured a forgettable season in 2023 where they were hampered by the loss of several influential players and they struggled to make impact and
the Glengormley side suffered relegation.
The change to this year’s league structure ensured St Enda’s are back in the top grade and Carl McCabe is back at the helm in the managerial role.
St. Enda’s will start in the role of outsiders in the league and championship and they will look for improvement which may well be found.
St James’ Aldergrove
Crumlin based, St. James’ Aldergrove just missed out on promotion last term but the new look league opens the door for them to turn out against the big boys in division one.
Former Creggan player Adrian Dougan retains hold of the reins again, aided by Paul Cushley and Declan Hanna and they will relish the challenge ahead.
Aldergrove will certainly not be front runners in the race for honours in the top grade but they will not lack in enthusiasm and will give it a real lash.
All Saint’s Ballymena
The Ballymena boys enjoyed a good 2023 season under the legendary Derry native, Liam Bradley and although they just missed their target in gaining promoting they may be handed another opportunity in the new look league structure.