Antrim appoint Lenny Harbinson as new football manager

Lenny Harbinson guided St Gall's to All-Ireland club success in 2010

Former All-Ireland winning boss with St Gall's, Lenny Harbinson, has been appointed Antrim's new manager.

Harbinson, currently in charge of Armagh club Ballymacnab Round Towers, has been given a three-year term with a review at the end of each season.

He takes over from Frank Fitzsimons and Gearoid Adams who were joint managers of the Saffrons for two years.

Adams decided to leave when the county announced it would seek nominations for the post of football manager.

Lamh Dhearg club man Fitzsimons initially allowed his name to go forward, but then withdrew from the managerial selection process.

Harbinson, a former Antrim player, guided St Galls to the All-Ireland club title in 2010.

Antrim suffered relegation back to Division Four after Fitzsimons and Adams guided the Saffrons to promotion last year.

The Saffrons lost both their championship games this year as a heavy defeat by Donegal in Ulster was followed by another disappointing loss to Sligo.

Antrim county chairman Collie Donnelly said that Harbinson had been chosen following a "very professional process" by the selection panel of Alec McQuillan, Paul McErlean and Ciaran Hamill.

"Lenny is a manager of the highest calibre and we are looking forward to the new season," said the Antrim chairman.

"We are also very grateful to Gearoid Adams and Frank Fitzsimons, two very committed Antrim men, for their work with the team over the last three years.

"Thanks to them, a number of excellent young players are coming through and we believe there is real potential for the future."