Whelan confirms Dublin exit

MICKEY WHELAN has confirmed he will not be part of Dublin’s backroom team for their All-Ireland SFC title defence.

The veteran coach stepped down in the wake of their first September success in 16 years and manager Pat Gilroy vowed he wouldn’t “bully” his fellow St Vincent’s man back into the fold.

“It’s time for me to move on,” confirmed Whelan at the Philips Sports Manager of the Year awards yesterday. “I’m 72 and there’s young people ready to come in.”