BREAKING: Mark Dowling and Niall Bergin to depart Kilkenny managerial roles

Kilkenny Live understands both Mark Dowling and Niall Bergin are set to vacate their roles as Kilkenny under-20 and minor bosses respectively.

The decisions follow both men taking the last number of weeks to contemplate their future plans after the conclusion of the 2025 championships.

Dowling has been in the inter-county hot seat over the past three years, with his final season ultimately proving to be his most successful.

The former county final winning manager with Dicksboro bounced back from Leinster semi-final defeats in 2023 and 2024 to guide the under-20s to Leinster glory this campaign with a comprehensive defeat of Dublin in the decider.

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However, it wasn't to be for the young Cats in the All-Ireland final, as Tipperary prevailed at Kilkenny GAA HQ.

Meanwhile, Bergin will leave his post as minor manager after a four year tenure that saw him pick up Leinster titles in each of the last two seasons.

Similarly, the O'Loughlin Gaels man also guided his native county to a home All-Ireland final against Tipperary in 2024, but like their under-20 counterparts, ultimately fell short to their near neighbours in a UPMC Nowlan Park thriller.

Kilkenny ended their All-Ireland bid at the semi-final stage of the minor grade this season with a semi-final loss to subsequent winners Waterford last month.

So, big decisions lie ahead for the Kilkenny County Board with a week of departures beginning with news that Michael Fennelly will step away from his role as Performance Lead with the Na Cait Óga on the conclusion of his contract later this year. - READ MORE HERE

More in this week's sports section of the Kilkenny People

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