McCloskey quits as Derry hurling boss

Sean McCloskey has officially ended his three-year reign as manager of the Derry senior hurlers.

McCloskey bowed out in fine style last month with a comprehensive win over Donegal in the Nicky Rackard Cup final.

Derry's 2006 championship campaign had gotten off to the worst possible start when they were dumped out of the Ulster SHC race, courtesy of May's surprise six-point defeat to New York.

But the Oak Leafers regrouped to win the Rackard title and qualify for the second tier of next year's All-Ireland championship.

McCloskey served on the backroom staff of previous manager Dominic McKinley before taking up the reins in 2003. A former hurler with Na Magha, he managed north Derry club Banagher to two county championship finals, although they lost on both occasions.

"I do not think it is possible to overstate just how pleasant Sean was to work with throughout all the years he has been involved with the management of the county's senior hurling squad," said Derry PRO Gerry Donnelly today.

"He was very good to deal with and always the epitome of calmness."

The Derry County Board are hopeful of making "progress on the vacancy by the end of the month", according to Donnelly.