Kilcoo pay tribute to outgoing management duo as Conleith Gilligan and Richard Thornton depart

Last season’s All-Ireland club champions Kilcoo are on the lookout for a new management team following the departure of Conleith Gilligan and Richard Thornton.

The pair succeeded Mickey Moran following Kilcoo’s stunning win over Kilmacud Crokes in February’s All-Ireland decider in Croke Park.

The Magpies retained their Down title, securing a tenth win in 11 seasons, and defeated Ballybay and Enniskillen Gaels to reach a fifth Ulster Club Final earlier this month.

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However, they fell short against Glen in a pulsating final at the Athletic Grounds.

Gilligan had been with Kilcoo since 2019 when he worked alongside the legendary Moran while Thornton joined the management set-up ahead of their All-Ireland winning season.

In a statement, Kilcoo hailed the influence the pair had on what has been a remarkably successive period for the club.

“This evening we learned of the resignation of Conleith Gilligan and Richard Thornton as our senior football managers,” the statement read.

Dylan Ward comes under pressure from Glen's Emmet Bradley during the Ulster Club Final in the Athletic Grounds. Kilcoo's reign as Ulster and All-Ireland champions was ended by the Derry side and managers Conleith Gilligan and Richard Thornton have now stepped down. (©INPHO/Declan Roughan)

“We are sad to see them depart but can’t thank them enough for what they have done for our club. They have been truly amazing.

“The pinnacle was reached in February of this year when the boys alongside Mickey Moran ensured we climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Andy Merrigan Cup. The role they played in this success and our success over the past few years has been magnificent.

“When Mickey departed, the lads stepped up and brought us our 20th county title and led us to the club’s fifth provincial final.

“Conleith and Richard will go down as legends in our club, they have been two gentlemen to work with and everyone in Cill Chua wish them all the best for the future. They are Friends forever.”

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