Alan O’Mara steps down from New York role after one season

The former Cavan goalkeeper took over from Armagh native Johnny McGeeney for the 2024 campaign, and his work-related departure now leaves the Big Apple on the lookout for a third manager in three seasons.

This has been a year of serious ‘churn’ on the football managerial front, with at least 11 counties now set to have a new boss (or co-manager in the case of Mickey Harte with Offaly) at the helm in 2025.

O’Mara’s opening Connacht SFC foray – against Mayo in Gaelic Park – resulted in a heavy 2-21 to 2-6 defeat.

However, their Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final against Laois in June was a genuine case of ‘what if?’: they led well into the second half, but a 58th minute goal from Mark Timmons proved crucial as their 14-man hosts came with a late burst to win by 1-13 to 1-9.

“I think they have shown they are good enough to compete and play at this level and we’re taking these steps forward and we are building,” was the post-match reaction of O’Mara, who had got married just two days beforehand. “We didn’t get the win today but New York is going to win a game here soon.”

However, it won’t be happening on his watch.

“Leading this team was a privilege and challenge that I enjoyed tremendously,” O’Mara said.

“However, moving forward I can no longer give the necessary commitment to the team, as I relocate to Pennsylvania and focus on my career as a mental performance coach in college and professional sports.”

New York now join a long list of counties who will have different men at the helm in ‘25, with departures in Carlow (Niall Carew), Longford (Paddy Christie), Meath (Colm O’Rourke), Kildare (Glenn Ryan), Westmeath (Dessie Dolan), Derry (Mickey Harte), Monaghan (Vinny Corey), Leitrim (Andy Moran) and Tipperary (Paul Kelly).

Harte has subsequently hooked up with Offaly as joint-boss with the incumbent Declan Kelly.

Mickey Graham has taken over Leitrim, Brian Flanagan is the new Kildare manager, Mike Solan is Longford-bound, Shane Curran is destined for Carlow and Philly Ryan will lead his native Tipp.