The Daily Star Ireland
Antrim GAA has confirmed the appointment of Mark Doran as their new senior football manager, stepping into the role vacated by Andy McEntee earlier this summer. Doran, who currently manages Slaughtneil, will combine his ongoing club duties with his new inter-county responsibilities.
Doran, a former Down footballer, brings a wealth of experience from both club and county levels. After a spell as a coach with Down between 2019 and 2021, he went on to contribute to setups in Clare and Wicklow, while also guiding Ballybay to the 2022 Monaghan SFC title as co-manager. Last year, he was strongly linked with the vacant Derry job following Mickey Harte’s departure, but instead joined Roscommon’s coaching ticket under Davy Burke.
At club level, Doran has had notable success with Slaughtneil. Despite initially resigning after their 2024 Derry SFC defeat to eventual All-Ireland champions Glen, he was reappointed to the role in March of this year, underlining the faith the club had in his leadership.
Antrim’s Transition After McEntee
Doran replaces Andy McEntee, who stepped down after three seasons in charge. During his tenure, McEntee maintained Antrim’s Division 3 status for two consecutive years and steered the side to back-to-back Tailteann Cup semi-final appearances. However, a disappointing campaign in early 2025 saw the county relegated to Division 4, followed by a preliminary quarter-final exit to Wexford in the Tailteann Cup.
In announcing the appointment, Antrim GAA chairperson Seamus McMullan praised Doran’s credentials, noting:
“Mark’s depth of experience and understanding of the modern game make him an ideal fit to lead our senior footballers forward.”
What This Means for Antrim
For Antrim, Doran’s arrival signals both continuity and change. His proven ability to develop teams, adapt to modern tactical demands, and achieve success at both club and county levels offers optimism as the Saffrons prepare for the 2026 season in Division 4. His challenge will be to rebuild momentum, re-energize the squad, and lay foundations for promotion back up the league ladder.
