McManus joins Rules panel

FORMER Kerry footballer and Kingdom manager, Denis ‘Ogie’ Moran, yesterday categorically denied suggestions that he is about to become the new Tipperary football manager.

The eight-time All-Ireland winner was in the Kerry hot seat before Paídí Ó Sé took over the job and his name has been heavily linked with the post in the Premier County since Tom McGlinchey stepped down following the defeat to Donegal in the All-Ireland Qualifiers.

“It’s way off the mark,” admitted Moran. “I haven’t heard anything about it. People are putting zero and zero together and getting five.”

Meanwhile, Offaly footballer Ciaran McManus is taking his International Rules duty very seriously and he even flew home for his work base in Finland to join the panel for their first training session this weekend.

The midfielder, who is employed by ESB international, and has been based in Europe over the last number of years, is well used to travelling to take part in the sport he loves and he regularly flew home from his previous base in Germany to line out for Offaly in the championship.

McManus intends to keep up this huge commitment and is delighted to be part of John O’Keefe’s Irish panel.

“It’s working out fine because my flight gets in at 6pm on a Friday evening and training is just around the corner half an hour later at Ballymun Kickhams,” McManus admitted.

“Even if there was more travel involved, I’d have no problem with it. I’m really interested in the International Rules and I’m looking forward to giving it a good shot.

“John O’Keefe was saying that playing for Ireland is like winning an All-Ireland medal and I completely agree with him.