THIS YEAR’S DUBLIN senior football finalists Ballymun Kickhams are on the hunt for a new manager after Paddy Carr has stepped down.

Ballymun Kickhams manager Paddy Carr. Oisin Keniry / INPHO Oisin Keniry / INPHO / INPHO

Carr, an All-Ireland club winning manager with Kilmacud Crokes in 2009, has departed after two seasons in charge of Ballymun Kickhams.

The last two seasons have seen Ballymun Kickhams knocked out of the Dublin senior football championship by St Vincent’s.

They lost out at the final stage by three points this year and were defeated by a single point in a semi-final tie last year. 

BallymunKickhams❤️💚 / Twitter BallymunKickhams❤️💚 / Twitter / Twitter

Donegal native Carr was linked this year with taking over the inter-county role in his home county but Declan Bonner was announced in September as the successor to Rory Gallagher. Carr has also had previous inter-county experience with the Louth senior side.

Paddy Carr celebrating Kilmacud Crokes 2009 All-Ireland club final victory with Johnny Magee. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Ballymun have emerged strongly in recent years to challenge in the Dublin senior championship with several Dublin senior stars in their ranks like Philly McMahon, John Small, James McCarthy and Dean Rock.

Ballymun and Dublin senior footballer James McCarthy. Oisin Keniry / INPHO Oisin Keniry / INPHO / INPHO

They achieved a breakthrough in 2012 with a final win over Kilmacud Crokes that ended their 27-year wait for a Dublin senior football title. From there Ballymun Kickhams went on to win the 2012 Leinster final against Portlaoise, saw off Dr Crokes at the All-Ireland semi-final juncture in 2013 before losing out to St Brigid’s in the decider on St Patrick’s Day that year.

They have not managed to add another Dublin senior crown since then but came close in losing finals in 2013 – after a replay – and 2017.

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