Mulholland answers call to guide Galway U21’s

ALAN MULHOLLAND, who led Galway to their sixth All-Ireland minor football title in 2007, will tonight be appointed manager of the county’s U21 side for next season.

And 1998 All-Ireland winner Seán O Domhnaill and 1974 All-Star Tom Naughton will also be ratified as selectors with Joe Kernan’s management team.

There had been speculation in Galway that Mulholland would also be part of Kernan’s backroom team but the Salthill/Knocknacarra clubman has opted to stay with the side he led to minor glory two years ago.

Mulholland, who was on the minor team which won the county’s fifth All-Ireland title in 1986, is the only person nominated for the position and he will go before a meeting of Galway Football Board for ratification tonight. The ratification of O Domhnaill and Naughton is also expected to be a formality at the meeting and the pair will link up with Kernan at Sunday’s county final in Tuam Stadium between holders Corofin and Mountbellew/Moylough. An added attraction will be the first appearance in Tuam Stadium of the Artane Band.

Meanwhile, Fermanagh senior football manager Malachy O'Rourke confirmed his backroom team for the next year.

As well as trainer Leo McBride, selectors Paul Coyle and Peter Leonard, Malachy has added Derry man Johnny McBride to his backroom team.

Nominations are being sought for a county minor boss after current manager Ciarán Donnelly has decided to step down.