Former Antrim boss Darren Gleeson ratified as Laois manager

ANTRIM’S outgoing hurling boss Darren Gleeson has been ratified for the Laois post.

The All-Ireland-winning former Tipperary goalkeeper left the Saffrons earlier in the summer, with Davy Fitzgerald replacing him.

Gleeson will take over at the Joe McDonagh Cup runners-up after Willie Maher stepped down.

Maher will be a tough act to follow as he led Laois to the Division 2A title this year, earning the right to play in Division One in 2025.

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He also led the Poor and Proud to the Joe McDonagh Cup final in 2024, where they were beaten by Offaly at Croke Park.

Laois also made it to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final stage, where they lost to Wexford.

Earlier this season, Gleeson masterminded a memorable Championship victory for Antrim over Wexford but needed a relegation play-off win over Carlow to preserve the county’s Leinster SHC status.

Gleeson retired from inter-county duty with Tipperary after nine years between the posts, winning All-Ireland titles in 2010 and 2016 before retiring in 2017.