Tony McEntee (born 30 June 1977) is a Gaelic football manager and former player. He has managed the senior Sligo county team since 2020.

Tony McEntee
Personal information
Sport Football
Born (1977-06-30) 30 June 1977 (age 46)[1]
Height 6 ft 0[1] in (1.83 m)
Club(s)
Years Club
Crossmaglen Rangers
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
Armagh
Inter-county titles
All-Irelands 1
NFL 1

McEntee played for the Crossmaglen Rangers club and at senior level for the Armagh county team. He won All-Ireland titles as a player and joint-manager of Crossmaglen Rangers and an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and National Football League title while playing for Armagh.

Career edit

As a player McEntee won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 2002.[2]

McEntee co-led (with Gareth O'Neill) Crossmaglen Rangers to consecutive All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship titles in 2011 and 2012, alongside three Armagh Senior Football Championships and three Ulster Senior Club Football Championships. However, McEntee and O'Neill left their managerial roles when the club's attempt to win a third consecutive All-Ireland Club SFC failed in 2013. Later that year, McEntee was appointed as manager of the St Brigid's GAA (Dublin) senior football team, succeeding Gerry McEntee and Mark Byrne.[3]

McEntee was a selector with Mayo under the management of Stephen Rochford. He was appointed as Sligo senior manager in November 2020 for a three-year term.[4] He stayed as Sligo manager for the 2022 season.[5]

He led Sligo to the 2022 Tailteann Cup semi-final, narrowly missing an appearance in the final after a three-point defeat.[6] Afterwards it was announced that he would continue as Sligo manager for the 2023 season.[7][8] The possibility of an extension as Sligo manager was reported upon.[9]

He has described his managerial style as "direct".[10] He excludes a player for only four reasons: "injury, application, attitude or ability."[11]

He is the twin brother of John McEntee.[12][13]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "McEntee Tony". Hogan Stand. Vol. 7, no. 13. 28 March 1997.
  2. ^ Campbell, John (19 June 2022). "Cavan will pose major challenge for Sligo in Tailteann Cup semi-final, says Tony McEntee". Belfast Telegraph.
  3. ^ "Tony McEntee appointed as St Brigid's (Dublin) football manager". The42.ie. 13 December 2013.
  4. ^ "Tony McEntee appointed manager of Sligo senior team". The Connaught Telegraph. 27 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Sligo confirm McEntee will remain in charge for 2022". The42.ie. 22 September 2021.
  6. ^ Crossan, Brendan (20 June 2022). "Tony McEntee says more gained than lost for Sligo in 2022". The Irish News.
  7. ^ "Tony McEntee to continue as Sligo manager for 2023 season". The42.ie. 12 July 2022.
  8. ^ "McEntee to remain at Sligo helm". Hogan Stand. 12 July 2022.
  9. ^ "McEntee staying on with Sligo as extension is mooted". RTÉ. 12 July 2022.
  10. ^ Doherty, Conan (24 May 2021). "'I'm not insensitive but I'm certainly direct' — Tony McEntee on trying to move Sligo to the next level". Irish Independent.
  11. ^ Costello, Lee. "'He spoke to me like a robot' — A phone call with the manager can make or break a player's career". JOE.ie.
  12. ^ Campbell, John (4 July 2008). "John, Tony twin their skills in style". Belfast Telegraph.
  13. ^ "McEntee twins end Cross careers". BBC. 23 September 2009.
Preceded by Sligo Senior Football Manager
2020–
Succeeded by
Incumbent