Karl Lacey returns to Donegal GAA as manager of county U-16s

CLG Dhún na nGall have announced the appointment of Karl Lacey as manager of the Under 16 Football panel for the 2025 season.

Martin McHugh, the 1992 All-Ireland winner and former Kilcar manager, had been in temporary charge.

"We wish Karl every success, and we will confirm his backroom team in due course," Donegal GAA said. "We also wish to take this opportunity to thank interim manager Martin McHugh, and his coaches, for their service whilst a permanent appointment was being sought."

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Karl Lacey left his position as senior team manager with Kilcoo in January. The Donegal Town native took over the 2022 All-Ireland Club SFC winners in February 2023 and won the Down SFC in each of his two seasons in charge.

Kilcoo were 2-12 to 0-9 winners against Burren in his first year in charge and repeated the trick 12 months later, with a 1-10 to 0-4 victory over the same team.

In Ulster, Kilcoo were pipped 1-8 to 0-10 by Tyrone champions Errigal Ciaran when Peter Óg McCartan kicked a stunning winner deep into stoppage in the 2024 provincial final.

Beforehand, the Donegal GAA Academy had been running for two years under Lacey, who resigned from the position in 2023, citing “a lack of support.”

In a show of solidarity for Lacey, his departure was followed by a mass resignation eight days later from all coaches in the county - believed to be numbered at approximately 40. On the field, Lacey was and is Donegal’s most decorated footballer - the 2012 Footballer of the Year, an All-Ireland winner, four-time All-Star and part of five Ulster SFC winning panels as player and coach.