Premier County’s next football boss will be a ‘statement of intent’

Tipperary football board chairman Joe Hannigan has insisted that the appointment of the county’s next senior manager will be a “statement of intent”.

A five-man committee, headed up by Hannigan and also containing former county board chairman Barry O’Brien, has been established to seek a successor to Peter Creedon. Expressions of interest are being sought from inside and outside the county, with Hannigan keen to build on the significant progress in various grades in recent times.

Tipp were All-Ireland minor champions in 2011, contested this year’s U21 decider and reached the last 12 of the All-Ireland senior series in 2012 and 2014. Clubs have until August 28 to put forward nominations for the post and it is understood that football board officials have also monitored the concluding stages of the All-Ireland championship as they scan the landscape for potential candidates.

Hannigan said: “The next appointment has to be right, a statement of intent.

“Our 2020 vision is to achieve an All-Ireland title at senior level before that year.

“We’re learning and it’s still a process but we’re encouraged by the players coming through.

“This year, Kerry beat us by six points and Tyrone beat us but we were crippled by injuries.

“We’re trying to build a policy of developing a squad that has depth and we do feel that we are getting there.

“2015 was another step forward and it’s imperative now that we make the right appointment.”

It is believed that former Dublin player and manager Tommy Carr has expressed an interest in the post, while ex-Limerick and Laois boss Liam Kearns could also emerge as a strong contender.