CONLEITH Gilligan and Richard Thornton will “go down as legends in our club”, Kilcoo GAC have said after the pair stepped down as joint-managers this evening.
The duo had taken over from Mickey Moran when he stepped away after winning the All-Ireland club title earlier this year.
Kilcoo would retain their Down title, a 20th in the club’s history and a tenth in eleven years, before reaching a third consecutive Ulster final.
They were beaten in an epic encounter by a Glen side that made the most of a bright start.
Gilligan had gone to Kilcoo in 2019 as Moran’s coach and would do three years in that role, while Thornton joined up ahead of the 2021 season in which they would win the All-Ireland title.
The pair stepped up together when Moran stood down, but have decided the time is now right themselves to go.
“On Tuesday we learned of the resignation of Conleith Gilligan and Richard Thornton as our senior football managers,” read a club statement.
“We are sad to see them depart but can’t thank them enough for what they have done for our club. They have been truly amazing.
“The pinnacle was reached in February of this year when the boys, alongside Mickey Moran, ensured we climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Andy Merrigan Cup. The role they played in this success and our success over the past few years has been magnificent.
“When Mickey departed, the lads stepped up and brought us our 20th county title and led us to the clubs fifth provincial final.
“Conleith and Richard will go down as legends in our club, they have been two gentlemen to work with and everyone in Cill Chua wish them all the best for the future.
“They are friends forever.”
