The Down native has had spells coaching Clare and Roscommon and also led Ballybay to a Monaghan SFC title in 2022
Mark Doran will succeed Andy McEntee as the new Antrim senior football manager.
Nominations for the role, which was vacated by Andy McEntee after three years in charge, closed at the end of July.
Paddy Bradley had been the early front-runner, but withdrew his name while former Louth boss Colin Kelly and Barry Dillon, who led Ulster University to Sigerson Cup glory in 2024, were also linked with the role.
It is understood that Colm Nally was part of Kelly’s potential backroom team and the Drogheda native was interviewed for the role before withdrawing from the race last week.
Dillon was also nominated for the post, but is currently focused on managing Tyrone club Ardboe.
Doran, who managed Monaghan side Ballybay to a county title in 2022, also had coaching spells with the Clare and Roscommon footballers and is currently with Slaughtneil.
The Derry SFC got under way last weekend with the Emmet’s recording an impressive 2-22 to 1-12 win over Kilrea to set up a second round clash with Bellaghy.
The Longstone clubman stepped down as Slaughtneil manager last season following their semi-final loss to Glen, but was reappointed to the role back in March.
It is expected that he’ll continue in his role with Slaughtneil until their season is over.
In a statement, Antrim GAA said: The Antrim County Committee are pleased to confirm that Mark Doran has been appointed as Manager of the Antrim Senior Football Team.
“Over the past number of years, Mark has been involved at the highest levels of the game, including coaching roles with Down, Clare, and Roscommon senior football teams, and team management with Ballybay and Slaughtneil.
“His contributions have been widely praised across the counties he has worked with, helping teams improve performance and compete at provincial and national levels.”
Antrim Chairperson Seamus McMullan added: ““Mark has built a solid reputation as a coach and manager. His depth of experience and understanding of the modern game make him an ideal fit to lead our Senior Footballers forward.
“We wish Mark and the panel the very best and look forward to the 2026 season.”
Doran’s full management and backroom team will be confirmed over the coming weeks.
McEntee stepped down in June after three seasons in charge of the Saffrons. Antrim lost out to Armagh in the Ulster SFC quarter-final.
They reached the last four of the Tailteann Cup in each of McEntee’s first two years in charge, but lost out to Wexford in the preliminary quarter-finals this season and were also relegated to Division Four in the spring.
Antrim suffered a further blow earlier this summer when captain Dermot McAleese, 31, announced his shock retirement from county football.
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