Gleeson parts company with Antrim after five years

Darren Gleeson has kept Antrim in Division One since 2021 and the country have retained their top-tier championship status over the past two seasons

Darren Gleeson has stepped down from his role as Antrim hurling manager after five years in the job.

The former Tipperary goalkeeper did not give a reason for his departure in a statement on Monday morning which said that he had held the role "with the utmost pride".

Gleeson's role invariably saw him making a 400-mile round trip three times a week to undertake his Antrim duties and given his young family, his decision is not a major surprise.

However, his comment that he intends to "continue my hurling journey" indicates that Gleeson's Antrim role is unlikely to be his final involvement with inter-county hurling.

"When I first made the journey in the Spring of 2018 to help with a few sessions, little did I think I would still be there in 2024," said Gleeson.

Former Clare, Wexford and Waterford boss Davy Fitzgerald is likely to be linked with the job although he also may be a contender for the vacant Galway post following Henry Shefflin's recent departure.

In terms of contenders within Antrim, former Slaughtneil boss Michael McShane looks an obvious fit for the job with current Dunloy boss Gregory O'Kane another man likely to be linked with the vacancy.

Gleeson took job with Antrim at low ebb

Responding to Gleeson's departure, Antrim GAA spoke of its "appreciation and respect" for the Tipperary man.

"Darren's tenure has marked a transformative period for Antrim hurling and we are deeply thankful to him and his management team for the new levels of excellence they have instilled in our players and our entire organisation," added Antrim chairperson Seamus McMullan, who added that the county wished "Darren and his family all the best in the future".

The Portroe club-man was appointed to the Saffrons job in September 2019 with the county's hurling fortunes at a particularly low ebb following a season when they failed to earn promotion from Division Two of the Allianz League and also were unable to make a impact in the Joe McDonagh Cup.

Under Gleeson, the Saffrons made immediate progress in 2020 as they earned a return to Division One by winning the Division Two A title and also lifted the Joe McDonagh Cup.

Despite a few relegation battles, Antrim have remained in Division One ever since.

While they dropped back to the second-tier championship for the 2022 season, that was quickly addressed by winning a second Joe McDonagh Cup and Gleeson leaves the Saffrons with their Liam MacCarthy Cup status safe for next year when they will again compete in the Leinster Championship.

A thrilling victory over Wexford and win over Carlow helped preserve Antrim's top-tier championship status this year despite comprehensive defeats by Kilkenny, Dublin and Galway.

Gleeson formed a close bond with his players during his five years in charge

Gleeson's lengthy statement included giving thanks to his family, the Antrim county board, his backroom team, the county's players, the county's sponsors, Club Aontroma as well the county's clubs.

Addressing the clubs Gleeson said: "Thank you for nurturing and supplying the players to the county.

"You should be immensely proud of them and what they have achieved to date."

Gleeson added that he looked forward to meeting Antrim fans "around the playing pitches of Ireland as you continue to support this great county of yours".