By Michael McMullan

MICHAEL McShane has committed to Ulster champions Sleacht Néíll for an eighth season as senior hurling manager, Gaelic Life can confirm.

The Ballycastle native was appointed at the start of the 2015 season and has steered the Emmet’s to seven Derry and four Ulster titles.

After losing to Cushendall, after extra time, in the Ulster final in his first year, McShane was at the helm when Sleacht Néill overcame Loughgiel to become the first Derry club to win the Ulster senior title.

McShane will retain the same management team of coach Alex Campbell, goalkeeper coach Tom Hennessy and Sport Psychologist Dr Noel Brick on board.  Bernard Cassidy, Barney and Patrick McEldowney – all championship winners in their playing days with the Emmet’s – complete the management room team.

Sleacht Néill have yet to make the breakthrough on the All-Ireland series.  After previous defeats to Cuala, Na Piarsaigh, Ballyhale Shamrocks, they were beaten by Ballygunner in their latest foray on the national stage.

“The team has improved, that’s a very good Ballygunner team,” a crestfallen McShane said after the game.

“The players will have to digest this one and see where are over the next few weeks and months.

“That Sleacht Néill team have many, many more good years left in them if they want it.  I am not going to question their appetite or ask how they feel about that. Nobody wants to talk about that right now.”

McShane, now in his second season as Tyrone senior hurling manager, has helped the Red Hands to top spot in Division 3A.

Tyrone beat Warwickshire, Armagh and Monaghan so far. The only point they dropped was away to Roscommon after trailing by nine points at half-time having played against a gale-force breeze.