KARL Lacey has stepped down as Kilcoo manager after two years in charge, The Irish News understands.
The former Donegal defender led the Magpies to another two successive Down titles.
They fell short in dramatic one-point defeats in Ulster both years, last season’s coming at the hands of Errigal Ciaran in the final.
Kilcoo were knocked out by Scotstown at the quarter-final stage two years ago, with Rory Beggan landing a long-range winning free deep into stoppage time.
Former Footballer of the Year Lacey’s role had changed slightly in the middle of 2024, with Paddy Crozier enlisted to help on the managerial end of things, allowing Lacey to concentrate more on the coaching side.
His assistant and Four Masters clubmate Barry Dunnion had already departed the Kilcoo set-up to take over as manager of their hometown club in Donegal Town.
It leaves Kilcoo on the hunt for a new manager, although when it came to Lacey’s appointment, he wasn’t confirmed as their manager until the summer of 2022 and championship despite having been involved for several months by then.
They will go into 2025 chasing seven Down titles in a row, hoping to surpass Burren’s record of six consecutive wins between 1983 and 1988.
