Cathal Murray steps down after Ardee St Mary’s success
By ArdeePost Reporter
Cathal Murray has officially stepped down as manager of Ardee St Mary’s after four remarkable seasons in charge, during which he etched his name into the club’s history with unprecedented success.
The Down native’s decision comes in the aftermath of his side’s quarter-final defeat to Newtown Blues in the Louth Senior Football Championship at Drogheda last Sunday. That loss ended hopes of a historic four-in-a-row and brought the curtain down on Murray’s era at the helm.
During his tenure, Murray transformed Ardee St Mary’s into a dominant force in Louth football. He guided the club to three consecutive Joe Ward Cups, a feat unmatched in recent decades, and restored the St Mary’s as a powerhouse in county football.
Perhaps the highlight of his reign was last season’s memorable run to the Leinster Senior Club Football Final, where Ardee narrowly lost by a single point to Dublin champions Cuala, who went on to be crowned All-Ireland winners.
The club confirmed the news in a statement thanking Murray and his backroom team for their immense contribution both on and off the field.
“Cathal and his team have given everything to Ardee St Mary’s and delivered historic success for our club,” the statement read. “We thank them sincerely for their dedication and leadership, and we wish them the very best for the future.”
Murray himself expressed pride in his players and gratitude for the support he received throughout his time in charge.
“It has been an incredible four years,” he said. “The players gave me everything, and I’ll always be proud of what we achieved together. The support from the club and the community has been second to none, and I will always hold Ardee St Mary’s close to my heart.”
Attention will now turn to finding a successor capable of building on the strong foundations Murray has left behind. With the club boasting a talented panel and plenty of underage promise, the new manager will inherit a squad with the potential to challenge at the top again in 2025.
For Ardee St Mary’s, it is the end of an era — but also the beginning of a new chapter.