Armagh champions Crossmaglen have announced that Anthony Cunningham will head up their new management team for next season.
Cunningham, who captained Rangers to Ulster and All-Ireland success in 2000, will be assisted by Jim McConville, who was also part of this season’s management team.
In a statement issued on social media, Crossmaglen also paid tribute to the efforts of the outgoing management set-up, led by Stephen Kernan, after the South Armagh side clinched the Gerry Fegan Cup for the 46th time with a facile win over Granemore in the county final.
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“Crossmaglen Rangers GFC are delighted to announce that our 2000 All Ireland winning Captain, Anthony Cunningham, assisted by Jim McConville, have been appointed as the new management of our Senior team,” the statement read.
“We wish them every success in their new role.
“We would also like to acknowledge the work of our outgoing management, Stephen Kernan, Tony Kernan, Paul Hearty and their backroom team. Thank you for guiding our senior team over the past three years.
“We are also pleased to announce that Peter McMahon will be the new manager of our Intermediate team. Peter will be assisted by Maria O’Donnell, Aidan Short and Paul McKeown. We wish them well for the season ahead.
“We send our sincere thanks to our outgoing intermediate management, Michael McConville and Miceal Traynor and Kitman, Larry Gavin.”
Crossmaglen lost out to Maghery and Clann Éireann in the 2020 and 2021 county finals, but they ran out 12-point winners over first-time finalists Granemore in this season’s Armagh SFC decider.
With Jamie Clarke back on board and with Rian O’Neill and Cian McConville in top form, Cross were expected to make a bold challenge for provincial honours.
However, they fell at the first hurdle as a Paul Finlay-inspired Ballybay outfit caused a big upset in the preliminary round tie at the Athletic Grounds last month.
Meanwhile, former Antrim manager Frank Dawson has linked up with Gareth Thornton once again and the pair have been tasked with reviving the fortunes of Pearse Óg following their relegation from Division One earlier this year.
Thornton and Dawson, who were in charge of Intermediate side Belleek this season, take over from Conor Clarke.
Elsewhere, a number of Óg’s clubmen have taken charge of the Grange for 2023 with Chris Rafferty appointed as their new manager and he’ll be assisted by his fellow clubmen Damien Houlahan and Marc Cullen.
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