Managers must be judged on results not place of birth

IT WILL be no surprise if the same basic conclusions are drawn from this Saturday’s Ulster championship clash in Armagh and the Champions League final in London.

A Down man, James McCartan, whose name will be forever linked to the Mournes, will lead his county into the Cathedral city. However, another Down man, Paddy O’Rourke, a figure also totally synonymous with the red and black jersey, will be standing guard for the Orchardmen.

Meanwhile, in London, Pep Guardiola, a proud Catalan, will take charge of his beloved Barcelona. From Guardiola’s first choice team, eight are Spanish and eight are products of the club’s youth system. The Barcelona fans effectively own their club.