KEVIN Madden was confirmed as manager of ambitious Derry senior outfit Swatragh yesterday. The former Antrim forward, who has been part of inter-county management set-ups in Derry and Tyrone and also has an impressive track record of success at club level, says that taking the reins at the Michael Davitt’s club is a challenge that “really excites” him.
Madden took his first steps into management when he joined Liam Bradley at Derry’s Glenullin in 2007. The club won the senior championship that season and, after Bradley stepped down, Madden guided Glenullin to their first Division One title the following year.
In 2009 and 2010 he was part of Damian Barton’s management team with the Derry senior team but returned to club management in 2011 for three seasons with Loup.
In 2014 and 2015, Madden managed Dungiven. In a memorable 2014 club championship semi-final his side led Slaughtneil by eight points at half-time and were still five ahead with 15 minutes to go.
However, Mickey Moran-managed Slaughtneil battled back to draw the game, won the replay, then the Derry final, the Ulster title and reached the All-Ireland final. The Emmet’s regained their Derry crown this year having lost out to Magherafelt in 2019 but Dungiven haven’t reached those heights since Madden moved on manage Creggan in his native Antrim.
He spent four seasons with the Kickham’s, taking them to their first senior championship final in 41 years in 2018 and winning a first senior league title with the club, before Mickey Harte enticed him to join his backroom team for the 2020 season.
Harte’s departure meant that Madden moved on from the Red Hands and, alongside Tony McEntee, he was in the frame to succeed Lenny Harbinson as Antrim manager. The Antrim county board’s decision to opt for Enda McGinley left the vacancy at Swatragh which Madden has now filled.
“I have a great affinity with Derry football,” he said.
“I went to school in Derry and I’ve coached with a few different clubs and been involved with the county team a number of years ago. So you’re always keeping your finger on the pulse and looking to see what’s going on in Derry.
“Swatragh are certainly a team on the up and they have lots of potential and good young players. So I have to say it’s a job that really excites me and I’m really looking forward to it.”
