Leitrim have parted ways with their manager Hugh Donnelly after their Intermediate Football Championship campaign ended yesterday with a two point defeat away to Wexford.
A joint statement from Donnelly and the Leitrim Ladies Football County Board this evening confirmed the Tyrone native’s departure from the role with immediate effect after three seasons in charge of Leitrim.
His charges had reached a Division 4 final against a strong Louth side in 2021 as well as winning back to back Connacht Intermediate championships in ’21 and ’22 prior to a disappointing campaign this term.
The County board in their statement are quoted as saying: “Leitrim LGFA wish to acknowledge that, coinciding with the end of our Intermediate Championship campaign, Hugh Donnelly has stepped down as manager of the Leitrim Ladies’ senior team.
“Hugh’s tenure with Leitrim resulted in Intermediate Championship quarter final and Division 4 league final appearances and more importantly, back to back Connacht Intermediate Championship titles. Hugh and his backroom team have brought Leitrim Ladies through a period of growth and development. Over the last 3 years, Leitrim Ladies have caught the imagination of the Leitrim public and we are proud of, and indebted to, team and management.
“We wish Hugh and his family every success in the future and we thank him for his dedication, professionalism and all he has done for Leitrim LGFA.”
Outgoing manager Hugh Donnelly said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here with Leitrim Ladies. I owe massive thanks to Aidan (Heron) and PJ (Ryan), along with the executive and county boards, for trusting me to rebuild the fortunes of the ladies senior team.
“We’ve now competed in a NFL league final, won back to back Connacht titles and reached the last 8 of the All Ireland Intermediate Championship in the space of 2 and half seasons. There is no reason that this success can’t continue.
“I thank all our sponsors especially MFC, our kit suppliers, Gotham Drywall New York, and anyone else who has kindly sponsored or donated over the past 3 years.
“A special thanks to the clubs and their managers and to all the players who represented Leitrim in the past 3 years. I would like to thank my backroom team for the effort and commitment shown, along with
their expertise. Again the success achieved wouldn’t have happened without these people. I want to wish Leitrim senior ladies, moving forward, the very best of luck.”.
With no inter county action until early 2022 Leitrim Ladies Football attentions now turn to the club league which kicks off at the end of this month with the Championships expected to begin in early August.
Final Whistle
Get all the latest news, reports, results, fixtures, statistics and tables from the SSE Airtricity Leagues, All Ireland League as well as Inter county and club Gaelic Games.