Mickey Moran and John Joe Kearney

The departure of Mickey Moran and John Joe Kearney has left Slaughtneil racing to replace their managment team in time for the start of the new league.

Moran and Kearney presided over the most successful period in the club’s history, winning four Derry senior football championships in a row, and three Ulster titles.

But this week the duo decided that they would not continue in the role.

The club are now seeking applications for the post, and all interested parties have been asked to contat Chairman Seamus McEldowney before Friday March 16.

With the Derry leagues due to start at the beginning of April it leaves little time for the club to begin the defence of their Championship.

And with most of the other high profile managers in Ulster already in position for the new season, it leaves them working with a smaller pool.