Cleary top tip for English’s job

TIPPERARY camogie boss Michael Cleary is regarded as favourite to take over as manager of the Premier County’s senior hurling team should Nicky English depart after his four-year stint.

Former Allstar Cleary has enjoyed phenomenal success with the Tipp camogie team since taking charge three years ago.

Under his stewardship, Tipp have won back-to-back All-Ireland titles and will be chasing three in a row when they play Cork in the final at Croke Park on Sunday week.

Other names being mentioned are Dinny Cahill, Paddy McCormack, Michael Doyle and those of the two present selectors with English, former goalkeeper Ken Hogan and Jack Bergin.

A native of Kilruane, Cahill, a former corner back with Tipp, is managing Antrim and led them to the Ulster championship this year.

McCormack, a member of the Thurles Sarsfields club, is manager of the Tipperary minor team, who will contest the All-Ireland final with Kilkenny on Sunday.

Doyle, son of the legendary John, winner of eight All-Ireland senior medals, managed the Tipperary team for three years.

He has vast experience at club management level with home club Holycross and Nenagh.

Hogan, a garda attached to the force’s Training Headquarters at Templemore and Bergin, a staunch member of the Moycarkey-Borris club, have been with English since he became manager.

Of course, there is no concrete proof that English, out of the country on holidays, will actually abandon ship.

When he decided to stay on, he was given a two-year term as manager, a year of which has still to run.

During his reign as manager, English helped Tipp to win one All-Ireland, one Munster championship and two National League titles.

The Tipperary players and County Board officials are anxious for him to stay.

Meanwhile, Michael Duignan has emerged as a front runner for the vacant Offaly senior hurling manager’s post.

Duignan, who retired from the inter-county scene two seasons back, took his first managerial position with Meath and led them to the provincial senior hurling championship qualifier.

Indeed, it was the Duignan-led Royal County who created the first championship upset when they knocked out fancied Laois.

Offaly County Board are discussing a format before moving to select a manager for their hurling and football sides. The county has two groups in place looking at structures within the county from underage to senior level.

With Fr Tom Fogarty’s one-year term in charge of the hurlers having expired with their defeat to Tipperary, Duignan, who created a favourable impression during his first year in charge of Meath, has emerged favourite.

While County chairman Christy Todd would neither confirm or deny an approach to Duignan, there is a strong belief within the county that the former All-Ireland winner heads the official list.