Sligo are once again on the lookout for a senior county football boss following Cathal Corey’s decision to step down from the role after one season in charge.
The Tyrone native cited ‘personal reasons and work commitments’ for his decision to step away from the post, and Sligo GAA say they are aiming to appoint a successor before the end of the month.
Sligo retained the Division Three national league status under the former Naomh Conaill boss and they navigated a tricky Connacht Championship quarter-final away to London.
But a heavy defeat to eventual Connacht champions Galway ended their provincial campaign, and they were knocked out of the All-Ireland qualifiers at their first hurdle after a home defeat to Armagh.
The announcement does not come at an ideal time, with the Sligo Club Football Championships set to get underway this weekend, with four senior and four intermediate ties between tomorrow and Sunday.
Three of the senior games are tomorrow at 7.30pm, with holders Tourlestrane facing last year’s intermediate champions St John’s in Curry; last year’s beaten finalists Eastern Harps playing Tubbercurry in Bunninadden; and St Molaise Gaels facing Coolera/Strandhill in Scarden.
The final senior game is on Sunday at 6pm in Tubbercurry, as Coolaney/Mullinabreena host St Mary’s.
In the intermediate, St Michael’s play last year’s beaten finalists St Farnan’s in Kent Park tomorrow at 7.30pm, and the other three games are on Sunday at 1pm.
Castleconnor face Enniscrone/Kilglass in Tourlestrane; last year’s junior champions Ballymote take on Shamrock Gaels in Bunninadden; and Curry take on Geevagh in Cloonacool.
Tonight, the county Expert Electrical U14 Football Championship gets underway, with nine games taking place across three divisions from 7pm.
There is also a 7pm throw-in for the minor championship tie between Ballymote/Bunninadden and Easkey/Enniscrone/Kilglass in Corran Park.
Last night there were wins for Easkey/St Farnan’s and Naomh Eoin in the minor hurling championship.
Round two in Leitrim gets underway this evening, with an intermediate tie between Ballinaglera and last year’s beaten finalists Leitrim Gaels.
Throw-in is at 8.30pm in Cloone.
The big game of the weekend is the senior meeting between Glencar/Manorhamilton and Melvin Gaels in Páirc Seán tomorrow evening at 7pm.
Dromahair face the defending champions Mohill in Drumshanbo at 5.30pm tomorrow, with the intermediate game between Drumkeerin and Aughavas following at 7pm.
On Sunday, Dromahair and Glencar/Manorhamilton clash in the Junior B Championship in Drumkeerin at 12 noon.
Statement from Cathal Corey:
“Having reflected on the past season since I was appointed as the Manager of Sligo Senior football team last October, I wish to notify you of my resignation from the position due to personal and work commitments.
“It is with regret that I am making this decision as I have enjoyed my time with Sligo as challenging as it was.
“On a positive note I am pleased that we retained our Division 3 status in a very challenging League, we won a potentially tricky away fixture against London in the Championship and most importantly I feel we transitioned a new crop of young players to the Senior squad.
“I would like to thank the County Board, my backroom team and the players for their endeavours over the season.
“And in conclusion I wish Sligo Senior team every success in the coming years.”
Statement from Sligo County Board:
“Sligo County Board wish to announce that their Senior Football Team Manager Cathal Corey has notified them of his decision to resign from his role.
“Cathal a native of Kildress in Co. Tyrone took over the role last October tasked with retaining Sligo’s Division 3 status,winning their ‘away’ fixture in London in the Connaught Championship and bringing through new young players to the Senior set up.
“All of these objectives were achieved however the demands of the role allied to new work commitments in his own business have resulted in his decision to resign from the position.
“Chairman of the County Board Joe Taaffe in accepting his decision wished to thank Cathal for his efforts over the past season and acknowledged the successes that he achieved with his backroom team in a very challenging transitional time for the Senior team.
“He went on to wish Cathal all the very best in the future both in a football context and with his business.
“He went on to say that the Co Board will be seeking to appoint a new Manager by the end of August.”
