Mark Doran Takes Helm as Antrim Senior Football Manager

Mark Doran has been appointed as the new manager of the Antrim senior football team, succeeding Andy McEntee, who stepped down after three years in charge. The announcement follows the closure of nominations for the role at the end of July, during which Paddy Bradley initially emerged as a frontrunner but later withdrew his candidacy. Other candidates included former Louth manager Colin Kelly and Barry Dillon, who recently led Ulster University to victory in the Sigerson Cup in 2024.

Doran, who has a successful coaching history, managed the Ballybay team in Monaghan to a county title in 2022. He has also held coaching positions with the senior football teams of Clare and Roscommon, and is currently involved with Slaughtneil. Under his guidance, Slaughtneil recently recorded an impressive 2-22 to 1-12 victory over Kilrea in the Derry Senior Football Championship, setting up a second-round clash with Bellaghy.

Coaching Background and Future Plans

Doran stepped down as Slaughtneil’s manager last season following a semi-final loss to Glen but was reappointed to the position in March. He is expected to continue his role with Slaughtneil until their season concludes. Antrim GAA expressed their confidence in Doran’s capabilities, stating, “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.”

In a statement, Seamus McMullan, Chairperson of Antrim GAA, emphasized Doran’s extensive background in the sport, which includes coaching roles at the highest levels. “Over the past number of years, Mark has been involved at the highest levels of the game,” McMullan noted. “His contributions have been widely praised across the counties he has worked with, helping teams improve performance and compete at provincial and national levels.”

Doran’s complete management and backroom team will be confirmed in the upcoming weeks, as he prepares for the challenges ahead.

Challenges Ahead for Antrim Football

Doran takes over a team that faced difficulties under McEntee, who stepped down in June following Antrim’s exit from the Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final against Armagh. During McEntee’s tenure, Antrim reached the last four of the Tailteann Cup in each of his first two years but struggled this season, suffering a preliminary quarter-final defeat against Wexford and relegation to Division Four.

Additionally, the team faced a significant setback earlier this summer when captain Dermot McAleese, 31, announced his retirement from county football. Doran’s task will be to galvanize the squad and build towards the 2026 season, as Antrim aims to return to competitive form in both provincial and national competitions. The expectations are high as the team looks to recover from a challenging period and restore its reputation in the sport.