Roscommon announces Sweeney as new senior hurling manager

Roscommon GAA has announced the appointment of Shane Sweeney as manager of the Roscommon senior hurling team for a three-year term.

The Pádraig Pearses man is well known in Roscommon hurling circles, having represented his club and county at all grades, including senior.

He won an All-Ireland 'B' medal in 1999, during his first year on the Roscommon senior panel, and went on to claim a Nickey Rackard Cup medal in 2006.

Sweeney won a Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship medal with Pádraig Pearses in 2017 before managing the club to the title in 2020 and guiding them to further county final appearances in 2021 and 2022. He also managed and coached teams from Killimordaly of Galway from 2017 to 2020.

Shane was also involved with Galway’s senior and under-23 camogie teams from 2024 to 2026. During that period, the senior team won the All-Ireland title in 2025 and reached the finals in 2024 and 2026, while the U-23 team secured both All-Ireland and league titles in 2025. This experience complements his playing and management background with Pádraig Pearses and his knowledge of Roscommon hurling.

Although the appointment of Sweeney is subject to ratification by the Roscommon Management Committee later this week, he looks certain to succeed Athenry's Brian Hanley.

Welcoming the appointment, Roscommon GAA Hurling Committee chairperson Christy McDermott said: “We are delighted to welcome Shane to the position of Roscommon senior hurling manager. We are especially pleased to appoint a manager from within the county, something our clubs have sought for several years.

"While the timing was not right for potential candidates on previous occasions, we are delighted that Shane can now take on the role. His knowledge of Roscommon hurling, combined with the coaching experience he has gained at club and inter-county level, will be an asset.

“I would also like to once again thank those managers from outside the county who have served Roscommon hurling for their work and commitment. There was great interest in the position from both within and outside the county. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to apply and prepare detailed presentations.

“On behalf of Roscommon hurling and Roscommon GAA, I wish Shane and his backroom team, who will be announced in the coming weeks, every success over the next three years,” McDermott added.