Former Sligo footballer Eamonn O'Hara open to discussions for Leitrim role

HAT IN RING: Former Sligo All-Star Eamonn O'Hara says he's open to discussions about becoming Leitrim manager following Mickey Graham's shock exit. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Former Sligo All-Star Eamonn O'Hara says he's open to discussions about becoming Leitrim manager following Mickey Graham's shock exit.

O'Hara guided Mohill to back-to-back Leitrim SFC titles for the first time in the club's history on Saturday.

Mohill defeated Ballinamore Sean O'Heslin's in a county SFC final replay following a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

It was O'Hara's third season in charge of Mohill having previously co-managed his native Tourlestrane to five Sligo SFC titles.

Former Ulster title winning Cavan boss Graham was initially installed as Leitrim manager in August but mysteriously quit last weekend.

Graham's departure due to 'circumstances beyond his control' has left Leitrim as one of just four counties without a senior football manager for 2025.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio, O'Hara responded positively when asked if he'd be interested in riding to Leitrim's rescue.

"If the opportunity ever arises to represent or manage a county, you'd never turn it away," said O'Hara. "I've really enjoyed club football. I'm lucky enough to have managed Ballaghaderreen in Mayo and my own club Tourlestrane for five years and now Mohill. I love the management side of things.

"It can be frustrating at times and you can be over passionate but it's not something that you'd ever...you'd always speak to somebody about it. I'd never, definitely not, turn it down."

O'Hara agreed that Leitrim have found themselves in a race against the clock to appoint a new manager.

"It leaves Leitrim in a very, very difficult spot to get somebody and then obviously to work on the panel of players," he said. "I'm hearing that there are teams up and down the country now back playing challenge games using these new rules and all this type of thing.

"Straight away, they (Leitrim) are on the back foot. The Leitrim county board have to decide who they want, what type of person they want and what is the long-term strategy. It's going to be a busy time for them. We'll just wait and see what they come out with."