Hyland tipped to fill Andrews role

Cavan will appoint a successor to Val Andrews from within the county.

The Dublin manager stepped down yesterday after issues from a players’ meeting arose but, while county chairman Tom Reilly praised Andrews for his work, he vowed to make the next manager a Cavan man.

“I’m confident we now have the people within the county to do the job,” said Reilly.

Cavan won back-to-back Ulster U21 titles on Wednesday night and the board will wait until the team has finished its All-Ireland campaign to pick a successor. Current U21 manager Terry Hyland is the favourite to take over despite distancing himself from the role yesterday.

An interim management team, believed to include former player Anthony Forde, will guide the team until the U21s are finished, which could be May 5 if they beat Roscommon in the All-Ireland semi-final.

The seniors open their Ulster campaign two weeks later against reigning champions Donegal on May 20 in Kingspan Breffni Park.

A statement yesterday by the board was highly praiseworthy of Andrews for stepping aside.

“This decision is yet another example of the genuine interest and love Val Andrews has for Cavan football.

“Val feels that for the overall well-being of the team which he worked selflessly with, a speedy decision is necessary to afford Cavan County Board every opportunity to make alternative arrangements for the upcoming Ulster Senior football championship and in doing so he wishes the best for Cavan football.”