Dubs boss will be appointed ‘within 10 days’

DUBLIN GAA chiefs are confident of appointing a football manager within 10 days, despite first-choice Brian Mullins turning down the role following a dispute with the executive.

In a statement yesterday, board executives said: “Brian Mullins did not accept the position of Dublin senior football team manager as there was a disparity of opinion on too many issues.”

They added: “The county board is committed to appointing a senior football management team and the executive will meet this morning and progress the issue. We are confident of concluding the matter within the next ten days and, most importantly, have our players return to squad training. The incoming manager will receive, as has been our practice to date, the full resources at the county board’s disposal.”

Mullins was angered by the executive’s refusal to implement a sports science programme while there was also a difference of opinion over Mullins’ proposal to withdraw Dublin from the O’Byrne Cup in January to allow the squad travel abroad on a training holiday.

The former Dublin great made his decision after meeting with the county board’s management committee on Friday. He said they had considered a number of his plans “which they could not live with.”

He said the board considered a January trip as being “too early” in the season, but it appears that the sports science programme was the biggest stumbling block. Mullins said he had the programme already in place in UCD, where he is director of sports. “It’s not airy-fairy. What we have in UCD is expertise,” he said. According to Mullins, the cost of implementing the programme would be no more than €5,000 a month - amounting to a total of €50,000 per annum.

When the management committee turned down this proposal, he said it left him in “no position” to take on the job of manager.

“In fairness to Dublin football I needed to draw a line. I said I could not go forward,” he added. Interestingly, Mullins did not rule out a possible involvement at a future date. “But, on this occasion, this is the end,” he remarked. Mick Dillon, the Kilmacud Crokes coach, last night described the situation regarding the Dublin manager’s job as “bizarre.”

“It’s going on a bit long. I’d say that Dave Billings will be the bookies’ favourite at this stage. Maybe himself and Brian Talty wouldn’t be a bad combination,” he commented.

Meanwhile, former Fermanagh boss Dom Corrigan is expected to be named Sligo manager tonight.

A special meeting of the Sligo County Board is expected to ratify Corrigan’s appointment. James Kearins resigned from the job earlier this year after he declined to prepare the county team for the Tommy Murphy Cup contest.