Casey adamant county board will find right man to lead Blues

DUBLIN defender Paul Casey has insisted it is up to the county board and not the players to come up with a successor to Paul Caffrey in the coming months.

Some counties have taken to canvassing the opinions of players when trawling for new managers but the Lucan Sarsfields player believes the county board can handle matters themselves.

“The county board did a good job appointing Pillar at the time. They have appointed good men over the years and I’m not really sure if it’s up to the players to have a say.

“If we were asked our opinions we would give them but it is up to the county board to find someone. A committee has been set up to find someone and we’ll leave it to them.”

Tomas Ó Flatharta, Páidi Ó Sé and Jack O’Connor have all been touted as possible successors, alongside homegrown contenders such as Mick Deegan, Brian Mullins and Brian Talty.

The question of an ‘outsider’ managing the Dubs is a contentious one but last year’s captain Alan Brogan has already indicated that he would have no truck with the county appointing a man from beyond the county borders.

“We all have faith they will employ the right man. As players, that’s all we can hope for, whether that is an outsider or someone within the county.”

Casey himself is still coming to terms with the loss to Tyrone but bats away suggestions that things could have been different if Brogan hadn’t succumbed to injury or Dublin had converted one early goal chance. He believes Dublin played into their opponents’ hands and felt the defeat was the most disappointing of his seven years on the panel.

With Caffrey departed and Ciaran Whelan and Jason Sherlock expected to follow suit, the verdict on Dublin is that they will require considerable reconstruction. The dreaded word ‘clearout’ has been mentioned but Casey believes the new manager will be well stocked with raw materials when he does assume the reins.

“Two weeks ago people were saying this team was in a position to challenge for an All-Ireland so there is plenty of talent. Whoever comes in will have some good players to work with.”