Leitrim GAA Announcement – Andy Moran steps down as Leitrim Senior Football Team Manager

Leitrim GAA Management Committee has been regretfully informed this evening by Senior Team Manager Andy Moran of his decision to step down from his position after three years in charge of our Senior Footballers. Andy was appointed in the Autumn of 2021 and has given boundless levels of energy and enthusiasm in helping to improve the standard of the Leitrim Senior Football team, and this year also took charge of the County’s Under 20 team. He brought with him a most professional approach towards the job and in each of his three Allianz League campaigns, had the team in with a significant shot at promotion from Division 4 on the final match day of the respective campaigns culminating in achieving promotion this year and contesting the Allianz League Final in Croke Park in March, only the sixth time a Leitrim Senior Football Team has graced Croke Park. He has also overseen significant improvement in Championship performances this year, the team having played in five championship matches for the first time since 1994. Leitrim finished second in its Tailteann Cup campaign and departed the competition at the Preliminary Quarter Final stage. His stewardship of this year’s Under 20 team in the first-ever Round Robin Connacht Championship campaign led to excellent performances in general, the highlight being a first Championship win in the grade over his native Mayo since 1998. A number of these young players have since graduated and gained valuable experience for the future in this year’s Tailteann Cup.

Leitrim GAA Management Committee is unequivocal in stating that the working relationship we have shared over the past three years has been tremendous. The time and effort that he invested in his players were very much to be admired. His unbridled passion and enthusiasm were certainly infectious. Over the past three seasons, he has been a joy to work with and while he always had the best interests of the county players at heart, he was totally appreciative of the bigger picture and the needs of the clubs and their players must coexist alongside those of the county set-up which is a hard act to juggle, given the ongoing demands on the calendar.

We wish to earnestly thank Andy for taking on the role three years ago and delivering on his promise to do his utmost to improve our fortunes, which we believe he certainly has done. He departs leaving us in a much improved position. We thank him for all the personal sacrifices of his time he has made on our behalf and we wish him and his family the very best in his future endeavours. It would be very remiss of us at this stage not to recognise and also record our appreciation for the contributions of all those who have worked closely with him in his Management Team over the past three years.

Andy Moran has made the following comments to go with this announcement.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I leave the role but feel it’s the right thing to do at this time.  After the team gained promotion to Allianz League Division 3 in 2024, I feel now the Leitrim Senior Footballers are moving to a new phase of their development.  What is required in my opinion is someone to commit fully for another three years. My three years with Leitrim have been a complete joy. 

I would like to thank our sponsors during my years in charge. Seamus and Caitriona Clarke of JP Clarke’s New York, and more recently Pat Gallagher of the Gallagher Group.  Small counties would struggle to compete at any level without the support of sponsors. Our Donors & Supporters who generously backed our plans and made sure they backed the County Board and helped out in whatever the team needed. 

A sincere thank you to the Leitrim GAA Chairman Enda Stenson, Secretary Declan Bohan & PRO Barbara Loughlin Byrne.  I would particularly like to thank Treasurer Martin McCartin & Brian Blake, County Administrator, for their guidance and support over the three seasons.  The job would not be possible without their support. 

I would like to thank my Management Team and all the backroom team that have been involved in the past three seasons.  Mickey Graham, Luke Bree, and in previous years Mike Solan & James Glancy.  I would particularly like to thank Barry McWeeney who is Leitrim through and through and is the glue that held everything together.

Finally, to the players.  Every player that has played under us has given everything to the cause.  Led by Donal Wrynn & Mark Diffley Leitrim people are blessed to have an amazing bunch of ambassadors to represent the county.  So many obstacles such as population, location, and many other factors are placed in the way of Leitrim football. Yet they keep producing talented young footballers.  My hope is that they keep driving on.  The future is bright.  To everyone involved in Leitrim Football – Thank you.”

The process of appointing a Leitrim Senior Football Manager for 2025 will be considered in due course.