Dublin in no rush to find Caffrey successor

DUBLIN County Bord will take their time before deciding on a successor to Paul Caffrey after the city-based community Garda stepped down following what he described as their ‘definitive’ defeat by Tyrone in Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final.

“There’s no hurry. We’re talking months,” said Board CEO John Costello, whom Caffrey publicly thanked for having the confidence to approach him four years ago after the decision to replace Tommy Lyons.

“We’ll have a look at the situation, appoint a committee and take it from there. The National League isn’t until February, we have plenty of time,” he commented afterwards.

When he met the press soon after the game, Caffrey calmly announced that he was ‘stepping down,’ explaining that he had initially been appointed for a three-year term and that the Board had been ‘good enough’ to extend it by 12 months. For that reason it was ‘a clear-cut decision’.

“I’d like to praise the players not only on today’s panel but the players I have dealt with over the last four years for what they have given to the Dublin jersey and the pride they have put back in the jersey. It certainly wasn’t how we wished it to end today but that’s football and that’s sport and you must accept it and move on.

“I’d particularly like to thank John Costello. He took a chance four years ago making a phone call to me to see if I would come in on board. And I’d like to thank the wonderful people on my management team. It was a great journey. Unfortunately we didn’t get the end we required.”

Costello pointed out that Caffrey had previously been part of the Tommy Lyons management, which had brought the Leinster trophy back to the capital in 2000.

“He has given huge service both as a player to his club Na Fianna and to Dublin and he brought a huge level of professionalism to his approach to the game despite the fact that he worked purely as an amateur.

“His record speaks for itself, as manager of the Dublin team that won four Leinsters. But, unfortunately we are still that one step away from reaching an All-Ireland final. I’m very disappointed for Paul and all the management team and indeed the players who have given outstanding service.”

Referring to the future of Ciaran Whelan and Jason Sherlock (the only link with the winning ‘95 team), Costello said while the pair could be expected to reflect on their future, it was too early at this stage to predict what they might do.