Dessie Sloyan & Eamonn O’Hara co-manage Sligo team after being confirmed as joint-managers of the senior football squad on a three-year deal. The former Sligo stars were ratified at a county board meeting on Monday night and will now lead the Yeats County after Tony McEntee stepped down following Sligo’s Tailteann Cup quarter-final loss to Fermanagh.
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A New Era for Sligo Football
Dessie Sloyan and Eamonn O’Hara both bring rich experience and local credibility to the role. Sloyan previously led Sligo’s Under-20 side to their first-ever Connacht title in 2022 and more recently worked with the Longford senior team under Paddy Christie. He’s also known for his coaching contributions at Knockmore in Mayo and managing his home club Easkey.
Eamonn O’Hara, a 2002 All-Star, is remembered for scoring the winning goal in the 2007 Connacht final against Galway. Since then, he has built a strong managerial career, guiding Tourlestrane to five consecutive county championships and later winning back-to-back titles with Mohill in Leitrim. He currently manages Boyle in Roscommon.
Backroom Strength and Continuity
Their backroom team is already shaping up with key appointments. Con O’Meara, who co-managed Coolera-Strandhill to a historic Connacht club title in 2024, joins the setup, alongside 2012 Donegal All-Ireland winner Eamon McGee. More names are expected to be added as they gear up for the upcoming season.
Familiar faces will remain in support roles: Sean Boyle stays on as strength and conditioning coach, Stephen Gilmartin continues as team doctor, Alan Dunne from Tourlestrane remains head physio, and Aidan Carty of Coolera-Strandhill continues as kit manager.
Sligo Hurling Also Gets a Boost
Meanwhile, Tom Hennessy from Limerick has been appointed as Sligo’s senior hurling manager on a two-year term. Hennessy previously served as lead coach and will now be joined by Reece Armstrong as lead coach and Derek Kelly as the specialist goalkeeping coach. Iarlaith Cox takes over S&C duties, and two additional coaches from the local hurling scene will be named soon, with one also set to help manage the county’s U20 side. Darren Norman and Gary Gilgan stay on as kitmen.
