ARMAGH’S ground-breaking LGFA Division 1 title winning manager, Greg McGonigle, has stepped down after just one season in charge of the Orchard County ladies footballers.
With his departure, coaches Darnell Parkinson and Joe Feeney move up to the joint-manager position.
McGonigle, who previously managed Dublin and Monaghan, enjoyed a successful campaign as Armagh won a first-ever Division 1 title and added to it with an Ulster crown.
That victory came at a cost, though, as goal ace Aimee Mackin picked up a cruciate injury that ruled her out for the rest of the season.
Minus Mackin, Armagh did well to top their group and beat Mayo comfortably in the All-Ireland quarter-final, but came up short in their semi-final loss to eventual champions Kerry.
Derry native McGonigle is expected to continue with his role as manager of Lurgan club side Clann Éireann who won a first-ever Ulster title last November.
Parkinson and Feeney both represented the Armagh men’s team during their careers and are hugely experienced.
Feeney collected winners’ medals in the 2016 and ’17 Dublin finals with St Vincent’s and also played for London as well as the Orchard County under Peter McDonnell, Paddy O’Rourke and Kieran McGeeney.
Parkinson, who also played under O’Rourke, was a key player as Pearse Óg won a famous Armagh title in 2009 – the first time since 1995 that Crossmaglen didn’t triumph – and he has been involved in coaching with a number of teams ever since, including Antrim outfit Aghagallon.
