Dempsey favourite to take O’Kelly’s job in Offaly

LUKE Dempsey has been installed as favourite to succeed Paul O’Kelly as Offaly football boss, with the former Westmeath manager admitting he is interested in the job.

Dempsey, who stepped down as Westmeath boss last week, lives in Mullingar, but teaches in St Joseph’s secondary school in Rochfortbridge where he has worked with a number of Offaly players including Roy Malone, Pascal Kelleghan and Alan and Niall McNamee.

“If I was asked, I would certainly go through the process of finding out what it would entail,” admitted Dempsey.

“It’s what I like doing, on one hand there’s the option of taking a year out after what happened with Westmeath but on the other hand I’d have to think about keeping in touch.”

Meanwhile Wexford County Board Vice-Chairman Philip Kennedy is proposing the creation of the full-time post of Financial Executive and Marketing Director whose responsibilities would include accountability for all income and expenditure within the GAA in the county.

The role would include the production of monthly management accounts for the County Board, the identification of new areas of income, while also maximising returns from present Sponsorship/Marketing agreements.

The position would be full-time with a basic salary plus incentive bonus.

When County Treasurer, Jim Ferguson, raised the issue of Holiday Funds, particularly in relation to the Footballers training week in Spain, he was informed that audited an account would be available for convention, which will not be held until December.

“Both senior hurling and football teams held separate fund raising ventures yet to-date who do not have any financial account of the functions, income or expenditure,” Mr Kennedy said.

“These are areas that need to be brought under the one umbrella which is the reason behind the motion while we also need to fulfil the marketing potential of the Association in the county.”

Should next Monday night’s County Board meeting accept his proposal it will not just be a first for Wexford but the GAA in the country.