BREAKING: Steven Poacher set to be new Leitrim Men's Senior team manager

Leitrim are set to appoint Down's Steven Poacher as the new manager of the County Senior Football team after the Leitrim County Board announced it would be putting his name forward to clubs for ratification.

Poacher succeeds Mickey Graham who surprisingly stepped down from the role on October 8, citing "circumstances beyond his control". Graham had been appointed in August to succeed Andy Moran having served as Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins manager in 2023 and Assistant Manager to Moran in 2024. On Thursday, Galway GAA announced that the former Ulster Championship winning manager had joined Padraic Joyce's backroom team with the Tribesmen.

Announcing the news, Leitrim GAA said "Steven is a coach of very high standing in the game and was previously involved at the inter-county level with both Carlow and Roscommon, in addition to coaching and managing at all underage inter-county levels with his native county. We look forward to working with Steven as we get preparations ready for the next season."

Poacher will be joined by Donegal's Anthony McGrath, former Carlow star Daniel St Ledger and former Fermanagh star Ryan Jones. Barry McWeeney, selector under Andy Moran, has been appointed as manager of the U20 team while former Leitrim and Mohill stars Danny Beck and Ciaran Kennedy will take charge of the Minor team.

The statement in full read: "Leitrim GAA is delighted to announce that at its Management Committee meeting this morning approval was given for the appointment of Down native Steven Poacher to the position of Leitrim Senior Team Manager for 2025, subject to ratification at the next meeting of Leitrim GAA County Committee.

"Steven is a coach of very high standing in the game and was previously involved at the inter-county level with both Carlow and Roscommon, in addition to coaching and managing at all underage inter-county levels with his native county. We look forward to working with Steven as we get preparations ready for the next season.

The core management team is as follows:

Senior Team

Steven Poacher head of PE in St Joseph’s Newry. Steven is the former Carlow & Roscommon senior football coach and he has also worked with his own county Down at every level from Under 15 to Under 21.

Donegal native Anthony McGrath will join the team as performance coach and selector. Anthony, a former Donegal senior has coached Donegal at Minor, Under 21 and Senior level winning an Anglo Celt Cup. Anthony has also been Sigerson manager in Queen’s University and has been involved in successful club campaigns in Ballybay and Slaughtneil.

Daniel St Ledger joins the backroom team as coach. Daniel, a former Carlow Senior Footballer, has represented Leinster in the Inter-Provincial series, and has been St. Sylvester’s Manager in Dublin for the last 3 years.

Ryan Jones, this year’s Leitrim Gaels Senior Football Coach has been the former Fermanagh senior football captain with over 150 appearances. Ryan was also last year’s Leitrim Under 20 coach and will act as coach and selector.

Under 20 Team

Barry McWeeney, who has been a selector with the team for past three seasons, will take charge of the County Under 20 team and will be a direct link between the Under 20s and the Seniors. His complete management team will be announced in due course.

Under 17 Team

Danny Beck and Ciaran Kennedy will take joint charge of the County Under 17 Team for 2025, Their complete management team will be announced in due course.

Leitrim GAA takes this opportunity to wish all the above the best of luck in their upcoming roles.