Baltinglass appoint Sean O’Brien as manager for 2019 season

THERE have been some significant moves in management circles within Wicklow GAA over the festive season.

Baltinglass have appointed Sean O’Brien Snr. as manager for 2019 after Ciaran Walshe stepped down from his position.

The former Wicklow GAA star will not be idle however, as he is now at the helm of Ballymanus for the season ahead as the Askinagap side bid farewell to Rathvilly’s Paddy Molloy.

Hollywood have attracted Moorefield’s Mark Murnaghan to fill the absence left by Mick Murray who has moved up the road to Blessington for the 2019 campaign as they look to recover from a terribly disappointing 2018.

Murray will be joined by Kiltegan’s Gavin Wynne as they look to inspire the Blues.

Kiltegan have looked in-house to replace Rathnew’s Trevor Doyle as Senior manager with club legend Geoffrey Bermingham taking the club trainer and football manager role with Nigel Byrne remaining as hurling boss, while Avondale have secured the services of Galway native Davy Burke with Pat Baker joining the management team.

There has been no confirmation regarding a hurling manager for the Dales as of yet following Emmet O’Sullivan’s departure but news on that front is expected within the next week.

Elsewhere, Tinahely stalwart Martin Ging is taking the reins at Annacurra as they look to bounce back from relegation from Senior.

Damien Redmond will enjoy one more year as head man at AGB where the Arklow side will hope to continue to make progress with a young and talented team.

There is believed to be no change at the helm of Rathnew, St Patrick’s, Carnew Emmets or Tinahely with Harry Murphy, Casey O’Brien, James Hickey and Alan Costello all remaining, but there will be a change for Newtown according to Magpie sources.