By Michael McMullan

FORMER Derry defender Gerard O’Kane has been appointed as the new manager of Cavan side Killinkere.

O’Kane, Derry’s 2002 minor All-Ireland winning captain, resides in Cavan and has been involved in coaching with Ramor United and has been heavily involved with Glenullin.

The following year he also skippered St Patrick’s Maghera to MacRory and Hogan Cup glory and won a NFL with the Oakleafers in 2008.

O’Kane had a stint involved in management with his alma mater QUB. The former Sigerson winner was coaching for two years under Aidan O’Rourke and Shane Mulholland while having a two-year stint as Fresher manager.

Killinkere reached the semi-final of the Cavan Intermediate Championship this year, losing to Ballyhaise who edged out his native Glenullin in the Ulster semi-final.

They were last winners of the title in 1982 and were in the 2016 decider where they went down to Arva after a replay and won the last of their three junior titles in 2019.

He joins his brother Michael – currently in charge of Derry side Ballinascreen – on the football management scene.