McManus challenges chairman in Offaly

Last night's meeting of the Offaly county board took an unusual turn when this year's football captain, Ciaran McManus, challenged the chairman on whether former boss Gerry Fahy had been interviewed for the manager's post.

Former Offaly star Kevin Kilmurray was expected to be appointed as Fahy's successor last night.

Fahy and his selectors Matt Connor and Mark Plunkett stepped down after winning reappointment by just one vote - claiming it amounted to a vote of no confidence in the management side that guided the Faithful County to Division 1 of the league this year.

The players were angry with the way Fahy had been treated and went on strike, before Eugene McGee mediated a solution to the problem.

McManus was a surprise attendee at last night’s meeting, and the International Rules star asked county chairman Tommy Byrne if all available candidates had been interviewed.

Byrne said he would not go into the specifics, and McManus asked if Fahy had been interviewed, even though sources in the county say he was not.

Kevin Kilmurray, a member of the first Offaly team to take home the Sam Maguire in 1971, is still expected to be given the job.

The Daingean native, who won two All-Ireland and three Leinster titles, has managed Dublin club St Brigid's.