Andy McEntee expected to be confirmed as Antrim senior football manager

Former Meath boss Andy McEntee is set to be appointed as the new Antrim senior football manager.

Clubs in Antrim will be asked to ratify his appointment at a virtual meeting tonight (Monday).

McEntee managed the Royals for six years, but opted against seeking another term after Meath’s season came to an end following their All-Ireland SFC Qualifier loss to Clare last month.

Read more: Enda McGinley’s exit 'surprised' Antrim players says skipper Peter Healy

According to BBC Sport NI, his appointment has been approved by the Antrim county board and the decision is expected to be rubber-stamped by the clubs.

If approved, he’d succeed Tyrone legend Enda McGinley to the role after the Errigal Ciaran native quit after two years in the position.

McGinley had led Antrim to promotion from Division Four in his first season in charge and they retained their Division Three status in the spring having been in contention for promotion.

However, the Saffron endured a difficult Championship campaign. After winning the right to host their Ulster SFC quarter-final meeting with Cavan at their Corrigan Park home, they were subsequently beaten 1-20 to 0-10 with a number of key players stepping away from the panel before and after the Cavan game.

McGinley stepped down following the 2-14 to 1-12 Tailteann Cup loss to Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon.

It is understood that McGinley’s assistant, former Tyrone star Stephen O’Neill, was approached about the possibility of remaining on in some capacity, but declined.

Enda McGinley stepped down after two years as Antrim football manager following their Tailteann Cup loss to Leitrim in May. (©INPHO/John McVitty)

While McEntee’s appointment might come as a surprise to some in Antrim, he brings a wealth of managerial experience to the role.

In his time with Meath, he guided them to promotion back to Division One in 2019 for the first since the 2006 campaign. Meath also reached successive Leinster finals in 2018 and 2019, but lost out to Dublin on both occasions.

Before taking on the Meath job, he managed Dublin club Ballyboden St Enda’s to the All-Ireland Club SFC title in 2016.

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