CROSSMAGLEN Rangers have appointed 2000 All-Ireland winning club captain Anthony Cunningham as their new senior football manager.

Cunningham takes over from the outgoing Stephen Kernan, who enjoyed three years at the helm. Kernan steps down having brought the Gerry Fegan Cup back to Crossmaglen after a two-year absence.

During Kernan’s reign, the Rangers reached three consecutive county finals, suffering defeats to Maghery (2020) and Clann Eireann (2021) before eventually getting over the line this season.

Crossmaglen fell at the first hurdle in the Ulster championship, losing out to Monaghan champions Ballybay by five points.

Kernan, an All-Ireland winning captain himself in 2012, also guided the Crossmaglen u-19s to a Division One championship title last Sunday.

Cunningham took Louth club Geraldines to the senior championship semi-final but were well beaten by Newtown Blues.

Jim McConville, assistant to Stephen Kernan, will remain in the role for the upcoming season.