Louth Ladies Football Seeks New Management After County Board Vote Ousts Current Team
Ardee News and Sport – In a decisive turn of events, Louth LGFA is now on the hunt for a new adult team manager after current Louth Ladies manager Paul Hanlon, along with selectors Darren Clarke and Alan Page, was voted out at a county board meeting on Wednesday night. The trio, who had led the team since their appointment last year, faced a 63-13 vote against their retention in a secret ballot following a season marred by internal disputes and player withdrawals.
The decision comes after 29 players opted to step away from the team earlier this year, yet despite these challenges, Louth’s resilience carried them to the All-Ireland Junior Final, where they narrowly lost to Fermanagh. The board’s final vote was preceded by attempts to resolve the differences between management and players, although efforts to facilitate a joint meeting between both parties were unsuccessful. The players reportedly declined a proposal to meet directly with management, complicating efforts to broker a resolution.
Following the vote, Louth LGFA Chairperson Liam O’Neill expressed gratitude for the outgoing management’s efforts, acknowledging their role in retaining Louth’s NFL status, securing a Leinster title, and reaching the All-Ireland final. O’Neill explained that the decision followed “due process” after exhaustive attempts to mediate between the players and management.
In an official statement, O’Neill commented, “On behalf of Louth LGFA, I wish to thank Paul Hanlon, Alan Page, Darren Clarke, and their backroom team for their hard work and commitment over the past season. We did all we could to try to resolve any issues, meeting both parties individually, but ultimately the decision was made by the county board in the best interest of the team moving forward.”
With the management team now officially ousted, Louth LGFA has urgently begun its search for a new manager, encouraging applications across its social media platforms as the team looks to rebuild and prepare for the upcoming season. The leadership transition is expected to bring fresh challenges but also opportunities to rejuvenate team dynamics and restore player-manager harmony within the county setup.