Sloyan and O'Hara named as Sligo joint-managers

Former Sligo players Dessie Sloyan and Eamonn O'Hara have been appointed as joint-managers of the county's senior football squad on a three-year term.

The duo, who were ratified at Monday night's county board meeting, take over from Tony McEntee, who stepped down after five years at the helm following Sligo's defeat to Fermanagh in the Tailteann Cup quarter-finals.

Sloyan managed the Yeats County to their first Connacht Under-20 title success in 2022 and more recently was part of the Longford senior set-up under Paddy Christie. He also managed his club Easkey and is currently on the coaching ticket at Mayo club Knockmore.

O'Hara, an All-Star in 2002, scored the decisive goal in Sligo's Connacht final win over Galway in 2007. Moving into management, he guided his native Tourlestrane to five county titles on the spin, before overseeing back-to-back crowns with Mohill in Leitrim. He currently manages Roscommon club Boyle.

Sloyan and O'Hara's backroom team will include Con O'Meara, who was joint-manager of the Coolera-Strandhill side that won a maiden Connacht club title in 2024, and Donegal All-Ireland winner Eamon McGee.

Further additions to the core team are planned before the commencement of the inter-county season.

The team's S&C coach will continue to be Sean Boyle. Stephen Gilmartin will continue as team doctor with Tourlestrane's Alan Dunne leading physio and rehabilitation and Aidan Carty of Coolera Strandhill continuing as kit man.

Under the stewardship of Armagh native McEntee, Sligo's stock did rise, with promotion from Division 4 in 2023. That was followed by a Connacht final appearance. In 2024, Sligo narrowly lost to Galway in the provincial semi-final.

This year saw some stagnation following a somewhat below-par showing in Division 3 and the county's failure to at least reach the Tailteann Cup semi-final.

Limerick man Tom Hennessy has been appointed to manage the Sligo senior hurling team for a two-year term with annual review. Hennessy was the lead coach with the senior team in 2025. and he will be joined by lead coach Reece Armstrong and specialist goalkeeping coach Derek Kelly.

Iarlaith Cox will be the S&C coach. Two further members will be added to the coaching team from within the Sligo hurling community, one of whom will also be a member of the county U20 management team yet to be appointed. Darren Norman and Gary Gilgan will continue as kitmen.

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