Kildare to name new boss soon

TIPPERARY County Board won't be in a position to name a successor to retired hurling manager Nicky English for several weeks.

In the meantime there is speculation that the position could be offered to Ken Hogan, who has extensive experience as a selector and trainer.

Likewise, the Cork County Board executive will not get around to consider a replacement for Bertie Óg Murphy until after their scheduled meeting with the players on October 11 in advance of which the players have agreed not to make any further public statements in relation to their grievances with the Board.

In Kildare, it's reported that the county board is "close to concluding" an agreement with a new senior football manager. True to his word, Mick O'Dwyer stuck to his decision to end his involvement at the end of the championship and then surprised everybody by aligning himself with neighbouring county Laois.

In Tipperary, a select committee comprising the principal officers of the county board and the four divisional chairmen have been examining all of their hurling selection committees.

However, most interest has centred on the position of the senior management, following Nicky English's decision to opt out. Some reports indicate that English actually considered giving up following last season's All-Ireland victory over Galway.

Apart from Ken Hogan, a number of other possible candidates have been put forward in public debate, former star John McIntyre for interest. He had a brief tenure as Offaly coach and has been involved with a number of clubs in Galway, most notably Clarinbridge who reached the AIB All-Ireland club final last March. Other names mentioned have been John Leahy, whose inter-county career is regarded as having come to an end, former Under-21 manager Michael Doyle and camogie manger Michael Cleary.

The view of some observers is that if the committee favours the idea of maintaining continuity with the outgoing senior management, they may opt for Hogan with Leahy as a possible selector. It's not known if Jack Bergin is interested in continuing.

It's not clear if the Kildare executive will opt for an outside manager or appoint someone from within the county. The name of Brian Talty is being touted as a possible successor. A member of Galway's team which lost in the infamous 1983 All-Ireland final, he is involved in club football in Dublin and assisted former Roscommon manager John Tobin.

Former Offaly star Richie Connor, who managed Laois at one stage when they shocked Meath in the championship, has been mentioned, along with Paul Earley and Colm Coyle.

At the end of the day, Padraig Nolan, who has opted out as Offaly manager could be a dark horse.

Dublin, meanwhile, will have to plan without senior panellist Paul Griffin for Sunday's eagerly awaited All-Ireland Under-21 football final against Galway in Portlaoise Griffin, from the Kilmacud Crokes club, has a viral infection Galway have no injury problems and expect to field from a full-strength panel. However, it doesn't include goalkeeper Brian Donohue, who had been the reserve on the senior team until he was injured before the first round game against Sligo. And, another member of the panel earlier in the season, JP Steed, is unavailable after suffering a cruciate ligament injury.

The game has taken on added significance for the reason that John O'Mahony and Tommy Lyons are the respective team managers and that the teams include a number of high-profile senior players.

Stephen Cluxton is Dublin's keeper and the team also includes Barry Cahill, Paul Casey, Darren McGee and Alan Brogan. Galway can call on Kieran Fitzgerald, Joe Bergin, Kieran Comer and Matthew Clancy.

Notably, Dublin have never won the All-Ireland, having lost to Kerry in 1975 and to Cork five years later.

Galway recorded their only title success against Kerry in 1972. The Irish squad for the upcoming Coca-Cola International Rules series against Australia in Croke Park will be announced next Monday by manager John O'Keeffe.

The panel includes three players who will be involved in Sunday's All-Ireland Under-21 football final between Dublin and Galway and for that reason the selectors decided to wait until after the game before naming their panel. Working with O'Keeffe in the preparation of the squad have been Peter McGinnity, Matt Connor and Martin Carney. Seamus Moynihan will captain the side, which will meet Australia in Test games on October 13 and 20.

Two of last year's stars, team captain Anthony Tohill and Ciaran Whelan will not be involved, but former captain Trevor Giles has been in training, along with Graham Geraghty who was reported to have announced his retirement from inter-county football following Meath's defeat in the championship.

Dublin's Stephen Cluxton is one of three goalkeepers in the enlarged panel, the others being Peter Burke (Mayo) and Enda Murphy (Kildare).

The Kerry and Armagh squad players are due to have their first session next Saturday.