By Michael McMullan

FORMER Oakleaf goalkeeper Barry Gillis has stepped into management with Derry club Faughanvale.

Joe Gray stepped down as manager after last season and Gillis comes on board as joint manager ahead of the 2023 season.

Gillis was goalkeeper coach with Derry senior and minor teams under Damian McErlain, while also coaching goalkeepers at club level in recent seasons.

In a  feature interview with Gaelic Life, Gillis expressed an interest in getting involved in management and is joined in Faughanvale by Killybegs native Brendan McGuire who was part of Gray’s management team last season.

Faughanvale have five Derry intermediate titles to their name and came closest to adding to that in 2017 when they lost out in the final to Newbridge.

After relegation in 2014, the ‘Vale – with Gray coming in as player manager – bounced back with a junior league and championship double before losing the Ulster final to Rockcorry.