Capital shock as Gilroy set to be ratified as new Dublin boss

PAT GILROY is set to be ratified as the new Dublin senior football manager at tonight’s county board meeting in Parnell Park.

The St Vincent’s man only emerged as a contender for the post on Tuesday night and with the county board meeting postponed from Tuesday night until tonight, speculation has grown a dramatic appointment is imminent. With Brian Mullins having ruled himself out earlier this week, Gilroy has become the surprise choice to fill the role that arose when Paul Caffrey brought his four-year tenure to an end after Dublin’s All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Tyrone in August.

It is also being touted Gilroy will bring former Dublin manager Mickey Whelan on board as coach on the new managerial team. Whelan was manager last March as St Vincent’s lifted the All-Ireland Club SFC title, with Gilroy filling the role of player/coach in that team. While Gilroy does have a lack of top-level managerial experience, it is believed his input into St Vincent’s success, and the presence of Whelan on the managerial ticket, made him the choice of the county board selection panel of chairman Gerry Harrington and secretary John Costello.