Kilcoo manager duo Conleith Gilligan and Richard Thornton step down
Conleith Gilligan and Richard Thornton have left their roles as joint managers of All-Ireland club champions Kilcoo. 
r departure comes over a week since the Ulster club final defeat by Glen at the Athletic Grounds. 
Gilligan and Thornton were undecided on their future immediately after the game but have informed the club they are stepping away. 
ub wanted both to remain but the search for a new manager now begins. 
r had taken over this year from Mickey Moran after the All-Ireland final and Kilcoo retained the Down title before progressing to a third straight provincial decider.
Gilligan had been coach for three years before moving into the management role while Thornton joined at start of the All-Ireland club winning year with Kilcoo beating Kilmacud Crokes in the Croke Park decider in February.
"On Tuesday we learned of the resignation of Conleith Gilligan and Richard Thornton as our senior football managers," the club said. 
"We are sad to see them depart but can't thank them enough for what they have done for our club. They have been truly amazing.
"The pinnacle was reached in February of this year when the boys, alongside Mickey Moran, ensured we climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Andy Merrigan Cup. The role they played in this success and our success over the past few years has been magnificent.
"When Mickey departed, the lads stepped up and brought us our 20th county title and led us to the club's fifth provincial final. Conleith and Richard will go down as legends in our club, they have been two gentlemen to work with and everyone in Cill Chua wish them all the best for the future."