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Paddy Tierney

Enda the line for McGinley as Tyrone's All-Ireland winner steps down as Antrim boss

Enda McGinley has stepped down as Antrim senior football manager following their elimination from the Tailteann Cup after Saturday’s five-point loss to Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon.

A three-time All-Ireland winner with Tyrone, McGinley succeeded Lenny Harbinson to the role late in 2020 after the Saffrons narrowly missed out on promotion from Division Four in three successive terms.

The Errigal Ciaran man appointed his former Red Hand colleague Stephen O’Neill to coach the Saffrons along with Antrim legend Sean Kelly with McGinley’s club mate Stephen Quinn completing the management team.

Read more : Cavan vs Down & Leitrim vs Antrim RECAP of Saturday's Tailteann Cup

Antrim clinched promotion to Division Three with a win over Waterford in Dungarvan, but were well beaten by Armagh in the Athletic Grounds in the 2021 Ulster Senior Football Championship.

This year, Antrim began their Division Three campaign in fine style with a resounding nine-point win over Fermanagh in Brewster Park, but losses to Louth and Westmeath ended their promotion prospects.

After fighting for their right to host their Ulster SFC quarter-final with Cavan at their Corrigan Park home, Antrim delivered an extremely flat performance as the Breffnimen powered to a 1-20 to 0-10 victory.

That left the Saffrons in the inaugural Tailteann Cup and an away clash against Andy Moran’s Leitrim.

Goals in either half from Shane Morgan helped the Connacht side to a deserved 2-14 to 1-12 victory with skipper Peter Healy grabbing a late goal for Antrim.

In a statement, the Antrim county board thanked McGinley and his management team for their service over the last two years.

"The Antrim County Board can announce that Enda McGinley has stepped down as manager of our Senior Football team," the statement read.

"During Enda’s tenure our Senior footballers have both gained promotion to Division 3 and retained their Division 3 status for 2023.

"We would like to sincerely thank Enda, Stephen O’Neill, Sean Kelly, Stephen Quinn and all the backroom team for their efforts and we wish them all the best of luck for the future."

Read more: Derry vs Donegal: Rory Gallagher - Gaelic football's ultimate 'outsider'

Read more: Antrim’s Tailteann Cup hopes hit by withdrawals and injuries

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