Lord of the Dance
Paddy Christie will continue in his role with the Longford senior football team
Sport

Paddy Christie will continue in his role with the Longford senior football team

Paddy Christie will continue in in his role with the Longford senior football team through the 2024 season.

Taking the job from Billy O’Loughlin in August 2022. the former Dublin defender got off to a flying start by winning the O’Byrne Cup. However Longford endured difficulties in the League, resulting in their relegation to Division Four.

Despite stumbling at home against Offaly in the Leinster Championship, there was a slight improvement in the Tailteann Cup. Longford made it out Group 3 with a convincing victory over Wicklow, only to be throughly defeated by Down in the preliminary quarter-final.

Following ratification at a county board meeting on Monday night, Christie's position is confirmed. However, he will need to find a new selector since Michael Kenny of Mostrim has chosen to step down. In contrast, James Glancy and Dessie Sloyne will continue in their roles.

Christie's background includes coaching and managing in his hometown club Ballymun Kickhams, as well as with various Dublin underage teams and DCU. He was also part of the management team for Tipperary when they achieved a historic Munster title in 2020.

The primary goal for 2024 will be to guide the team out of Division Four. Meanwhile, Longford faces the departure of a promising talent, 19-year-old Matt Duffy from Dromard, who is set to join the AFL club Carlton.

In a separate development, Adrian Moran will extend his tenure as the Longford senior hurling manager.