Longford club appoint former Offaly manager in their quest to end 44 years gap without title

Former Offaly, Sligo and Westmeath inter-county senior football supremo Pat Flanagan has been ratified as the St Mary’s GFC  Granard manager for 2026.

A vastly experienced and wily manager, the Clara native led Padraig Pearse’s of Roscommon to Connacht Club Championship glory in 2021/2022.

It is a significant coup for St Mary's to secure the services of a manager of Flanagan's calibre and his name was previously linked with the Longford job also, particularly ahead of the appointment of Billy O'Loughlin for the 2022 season.

Flanagan has successfully managed several club sides and his backroom team will include fellow Offaly and Clara clubman Joe Quinn.

Joe is a former Offaly player and has worked with numerous county and club squads over the years.

St Mary's GFC stated, "The executive and players alike are looking forward to working with Pat and Joe for the 2026 sporting year."

Granard won the last of their eleven Longford senior football championship titles in 1982.