Curran to take charge of Carlow senior footballers

Former St Brigid's and Roscommon goalkeeper Shane Curran is set for a fresh challenge after being chosen as the new Carlow senior football manager.

Highlighting Curran's "wealth of experience as a player, coach and manager", Carlow GAA said it was delighted to announce his appointment, which is subject to ratification at the next county board meeting. Curran is poised to replace Kildare native Niall Carew as Carlow boss.

An All-Ireland club medal winner with St Brigid's in 2013, Curran has gained a wide range of managerial experience at club level in recent years.

Curran was most recently in charge of Caulry, guiding the Mount Temple club to their first Westmeath senior championship semi-final since 1946 last year.

The Castlerea native previously led Pádraig Pearses to two Roscommon SFC final appearances and he also had a stint in charge of Durrow in Offaly.

Although Curran has managed his native Roscommon at U-20 level, the Carlow job will be his first time to manage a senior inter-county team.

In Division 4 of the 2024 Allianz Football League, Carlow won four of their seven games. They finished fifth but were only two points behind second-placed Leitrim, who were promoted along with table toppers Laois.

But Carlow suffered a very heavy defeat to neighbours Wexford in the preliminary round of this year's Leinster SFC and they failed to progress in the Tailteann Cup, drawing one and losing two of their three group games.

Carlow GAA chairperson Jim Bolger is hopeful that Curran can bring about an improvement in the Barrowsiders' fortunes.

"I believe Shane's commitment and passion as a player, which continued into his career as a coach and manager, will have a hugely positive effect on the Carlow senior football team," Bolger said in a statement released last night (Thursday).

"Shane's unwavering energy and enthusiasm will hopefully drive Carlow's ambitions to new heights and on behalf of all in Carlow GAA, I want to wish Shane and his team the very best of luck going forward into 2025."

A flamboyant figure during his playing days, Curran was known to stray from his goalkeeping station long before roving keepers became commonplace in Gaelic football. He also played in the League of Ireland for Athlone Town and was a popular character with the club's supporters.