Power poised for Tipp U21s

David Power will be confirmed as Tipperary’s new U21 football team manager later this month, with former Finn Harps soccer manager Charlie McKeever replacing him in the minor job.

Power guided Tipp to All-Ireland minor football glory in 2011 and spent four successful years at the helm, masterminding back-to-back Munster championship successes in 2011 and 2012.

The natural progression for the Kilsheelan-Kilcash clubman is to step up to the U21 ranks — and that move will receive the green light at a county football board meeting next week.

Power, 29, will be assisted by Gerry McGill, a senior selector and manager of the Dublin ladies’ senior football team that won the 2010 All-Ireland title. Power and McGill will be joined by Aherlow’s Pat Moroney on the management team.

Meanwhile, Donegal native McKeever is the Premier County’s new minor football team boss.

The ex-Finn Harps supremo has been living in Clonmel for a number of years and worked with local soccer club Clonmel Town as well as Clonmel Commercials GAA club.

McKeever has helped to oversee the development of a number of young local players, including Evan Comerford, Seamus Kennedy, Ian Fahey and Michael Quinlivan, who were all members of the Tipp team that won the 2011 All-Ireland minor football title.

Power’s name will be forwarded for ratification to the October meeting of the Tipperary County Board, with McKeever the recommendation of football board chiefs to take over in the minor hot seat. It is anticipated both appointments will be rubber stamped with minimum fuss.