Fitzgerald steps down as Limerick board chairman

LIMERICK county board chairman Pat Fitzgerald will, surprisingly, not be seeking re-election at the December convention.

Fitzgerald, who has held office for two years, said he was standing down for personal reasons. He had, he continued, given nine years service to the board, seven as youth development officer, and the time had come to depart the scene. He also ruled out allowing his name go forward for any other position.

A native of Doon, and in his late forties, Fitzgerald had overseen the €12m redevelopment of the Gaelic Grounds, and was involved in talks which led to JP McManus donating €5m towards reducing the debt.

John Conran's future as Wexford manager could be known tomorrow.

After suffering a massive 18 point All-Ireland semi-final defeat to eventual champions Cork, the Wexford County Board were left in the dark over Conran's plans.

The manager, who gloried in their provincial title success, was shattered at the enormity of the Cork defeat, and has taken time out to consider his future, along with selectors Martin Quigley and Dickie Murphy.

County Board chairman Sean Quirke said they had spoken with Conran this week. "He was away on business for a period but we've spoken. He said he would be back with a decision on his future involvement, if any, by this Friday."

Quirke was non-committal as to what the future holds. "We're having a County Board meeting on Tuesday night next when we hope to have a proposal to go before the delegates."

Model County officials are hoping Conran will stay on for another 12 months to try and build on their provincial title success.

However, the alarming number of players who opted out of the panel during the national league - which in turn led to rumours of player-management unrest throughout the season - will not be lost on the delegates .

While Conran and his two selectors will take heart from the provincial title success, it's no secret that Murphy is contemplating returning to inter-county refereeing. While some may take the provincial win as a sign the team is progressing, the Cork mauling could swing them away from inter-county management.

Meanwhile, pressure is also mounting on county officials to decide on the future of football manager, Pat Roe.

Roe met with officers a number of weeks back where he put forward certain proposals, but is still awaiting a decision.

Quirke said he hoped the matter would be sorted out at Tuesday night's Board meeting.