Football Board set to tackle management issue

THE Football Board, led by chairman John Galvin and secretary Sean McAuliffe, will this weekend meet with Mickey Ned O’Sullivan and have assured Leader Sport that a decision will be made concerning the management of the senior football team early next week.


Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s fifth year in charge came to an end when the Shannonsiders lost to Cork in the All-Ireland qualifiers at the Gaelic Grounds. O’Sullivan, however, is still considered hot favourite to continue as manager while the roles of minor, under-21 and junior supremo are expected to be filled as soon as the senior post is decided upon.
Leader Sport has also made contact with the Independent Appointments Committee (comprised of Damien Quigley, Paudie Fitzmaurice and Jim Woulfe) which is charged with the task of deciding whether to retain the services of Justin McCarthy or find a successor to the Cork man as Limerick senior hurling manager. Unfortunately, the Independent Appointments Committee are not prepared to comment on or discuss any aspect of their deliberations at this time.
The rumour mill, concerning the appointment process, has switched into overdrive in recent weeks.
One persistent rumour suggested that current Dublin manager Anthony Daly was in the running for the job. Leader Sport contacted the Clare man this week and Anthony Daly has confirmed that no one associated with the Limerick County Board has contacted him with regard to a potential role on Shannonside.
The committee conducted interviews in recent weeks with those nominated for the role while it remains to be seen if Damien Quigley, Paudie Fitzmaurice and Jim Woulfe will pin-point their own candidate.
It is within the remit of the committee to pin-point their own candidate and it is understood that they have identified a number of potential managers. It now looks likely that the Limerick manager may not be ratified at next month’s (September 14) meeting of the County Board.
Nine nominees were originally identified by Limerick clubs. Both John Allen and John Tuohy withdrew from the selection process leaving Dave Keane, Gary Kirby, Ciaran Carey, Leo O’Connor, TJ Ryan, Val Murnane and Justin McCarthy. Once the Independent Appointments Committee have made their decision their nomination will then need to be ratified at a full County Board meeting.
The Independent Appointments Committee has also canvassed the opinions of both the 2009 and 2010 Limerick senior hurling panels when they met with the two panels, separately, in the Charleville Park Hotel in recent weeks.
It is understood that the new manager will be offered a two or three-year term with an annual review. It is also understood that the new manager will appoint a coach, trainer and selectors, but only after consultation with the three-man committee.
While John Kiely will take responsibility for the Limerick hurling development squad (intermediate) in 2011 the under-21 hurling job is still up for grabs. Club nominations should be sent to County Secretary Mike O’Riordan before August 27 next. An appointments committee (Limerick GAA chairman Liam Lenihan, secretary Mike O’Riordan, treasurer Owen Hayes, Na Piarsaigh’s Shane O’Neill and Doon’s John R. Walsh) will interview those nominated.
Meanwhile the current under-17 management team consisting of Adare’s Shane Fitzgibbon (manager) and selectors Mike Galligan, Frankie Carroll, Joe Hannon and George Lee will guide the fortunes of the minor hurlers in 2011.

County League
The All-County senior hurling league final will take place this Saturday evening in the Gaelic Grounds at 6.45pm - Bruree will take on Murroe-Boher in the eagerly-anticipated clash.
Murroe-Boher, considering their excellent form in the senior championship prior to suffering a defeat at the hands of Emmets, will be red-hot favourites to win this one, but Bruree are never easily beaten and will be eager to lay down a marker before they face into a relegation semi-final against Garryspillane.

Brian McDonnell