Gaelic news from around the counties
GALWAY
Galway GAA chiefs have rejected speculation that football boss Peter
Forde is about to quit.
County Board chairman Pat Egan confirmed yesterday that no discussions
have taken place with Forde about his future involvement.
He said: “A meeting has been arranged for this coming weekend between
Peter and myself.
“The County Board has no problem with him staying on but it’s
up to himself.
The county hurlers issued a statement this week supporting the anticipated
appointment of Ger Loughnane as county hurling manager. Loughnane has
been nominated for the position and said he was interested, and the former
Clare manager is now the overwhelming favourite to take the role.
MAYO
Mayo’s veteran defender James Nallen says he will not be happy with
his football career if it ends without an All-Ireland win.
The Crossmolina man has won more than most players manage in their career
but the gaping hole in his achievements is the lack of a Sam Maguire success.
Nallen has been there for the disappointments of 1996, 1997 and 2004 and
admits that his desire to win the big one drives him on.
He said: “It’s about completion for me. I’ve been participating
in this competition for 12 years now and have failed on three occasions
when it’s mattered most.”
SLIGO
Current Yeats County boss Tommy Breheny has still to decide if he is willing
to let his name go forward for a second term in the job.
The St. Marys man was a late appointment to the job after Dom Corrigan
was sacked midway through this year’s National Football League campaign.
The former county player was seen as a short term appointment but the
upsurge in Sligo’s performances since the spring has seen many within
the county back Breheny to continue in the role.
“I haven’t made up my own mind yet,” said Breheny.
“A decision has to made fairly soon. I have to sit down with the
County Board next week.”
LIMERICK
Richie Bennis should be confirmed as the new Treaty County hurling manager
in the coming week after Tony Considine — the other favoured candidate
of the county board — withdrew from the race.
Bennis will be assisted by Gary Kirby.
KERRY
Rumours emanating from the Kingdom suggest there is a possibility that
current manager Jack O’Connor may stand down from his position whatever
the outcome of Sunday’s All-Ireland final.
Speculation in Kerry is linking Mick O’Dwyer with a return to the
job. If so he could be assisted by either Paidi O’Se or Eoin Liston.
CORK
The Rebel ladies set up the first leg of a possible double when they claimed
the All-Ireland Camogie title defeating Tipperary on a scoreline of 0-12
to 0-4 on Sunday.
The ladies footballers will contest the All-Ireland final later this month.
CLARE
Cyril Farrell has emerged as the favoured candidate of the County Board
to take over as Banner hurling boss.
The former Limerick and Offaly manager is expected to meet with County
Board officials in the coming days to discuss the vacancy.
WATERFORD
Waterford could struggle to have representation in the Munster club championships
because their county championships are so far behind schedule.
Three years ago the Deise was denied representation in the provincial
football championship because their county final had not been played.
And Waterford officials are now facing up to a similar possibility.
“It will be a tight squeeze, and if we have draws in any of the
upcoming games it will make things even more difficult,” admitted
County Board PRO John Jackson.
MEATH
The footballers could have a new manager in 2007 with Colm Coyle favourite
for the role.
Current manager Eamonn Barry is unpopular with many people on the County
Board and is facing a tough task to be reappointed.
LAOIS
Laois GAA is mourning the death of Mick Haughney who captained the O’Moore
County side to Leinster football championship glory in 1946.
Aged 91 Mick was a native of of Graiguecullen. He played at corner-forward
when Laois won Leinster titles in 1936, 1937 and 1938 but was in midfield
when they beat Kildare to win the 1946 final.
Haughney also won 10 senior championship medals with Graiguecullen. He
emigrated to the US in 1949 and only returned to live in Ireland during
the mid-1990s.
WESTMEATH
Hurling officials are hopeful Seamus Qualter will continue as manager
for another year.
The Galway native guided the Lake County to a famous Leinster championship
victory over Dublin and they subsequently put up a respectable showing
against eventual All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the provincial semi-final.
OFFALY
John McIntyre has been reappointed as Offaly hurling manager for a third
year but he must find new selectors as both Joachim Kelly and Daithi Regan
have stepped down.
It is still unclear if Offaly football boss Kevin Kilmurray will continue
at the helm for another year. A County Board meeting in the coming weeks
will decide his fate.
CARLOW
The three man committee set up to find a new senior football manager expects
to appoint a candidate within a month.
Several high-profile names have ruled themselves out of contention for
the job but the favoured candidate in the county is Mick Dempsey. The
former O’Hanrahan’s manager served as trainer to the Kilkenny
hurlers this year.
ARMAGH
It has been confirmed this week that Joe Kernan is to seek another year
in charge of the Orchard County footballers.
It is thought that if Kernan remains in charge several long serving
players including Oisin McConville will prolong their inter-county careers
for at last one more season.
The ladies footballers will face Cork in the All-Ireland final as they
bid to become the first Ulster county to win back-to-back senior ladies
titles.
FERMANAGHAN
Manager Charlie Mulgrew is to remain in charge of the footballers for
another term after having his position ratified at the last county board
meeting.
The Donegal native had initially been reluctant to allow his name be considered
but had a change of heart in recent weeks.
DONEGAL
It is expected that Brendan Devanney will return to the county panel
for next season, having opted to concentrate on soccer last season.
Colm McFadden who spent last season in University in Wolverhampton should
also be part of Brian McIvor’s plans.
CAVAN
Speculation continues in the county that Mick O’Dwyer has been approached
to manage the county team but officials from the county board are refusing
to comment at this stage.
ANTRIM
The county hurlers are preparing a motion to GAA Congress which would
allow them to enter the Leinster hurling championship next season in the
hope that it would make them more competitive in the long run. |
