Moran and Morrison land Leitrim football job

Mickey Moran and John Morrison have become the first managerial appointments for the 2009 campaign, even before the 2008 SFC has concluded, after the Ulster pairing were installed as the new Leitrim Senior Football management on last night.

In a statement issued by Leitrim Co Board PRO Brendan Doyle following a special sitting of the Leitrim Co Board in Carrick-On-Shannon, Leitrim GAA expressed their delight at the appointments.

"Leitrim GAA are delighted to announce that Mickey Moran and John Morrison will take over the vacant senior football management positions after ratification at tonight’s special county board meeting," the statement read.

Moran or Morrison were not present at the meeting of club delegates, while Doyle also revealed that the management team has yet to be completed.

"The appointment of a local selector will take place in the near future," Doyle confirmed.

Moran’s most recent success was managing University of Ulster, Jordanstown to their first Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup title since 2001 earlier this year.

UUJ beat Garda College after extra-time in the decider.

Moran and Morrison had both been linked with vacant jobs in Cavan and Dublin in recent weeks, while it is believed that approaches were also made by the Meath Co Board to secure the pairing for next season.

Morrison had declined to rule out the chances of himself and Moran taking over the Dublin position following the departure of Paul Caffrey as manager after the Metropolitans suffered a 12-point defeat to Tyrone in the All-Ireland quarter-final less than a fortnight ago.

"Every coach in the country would want the Dublin job. I'm glad that we're being talked about in those terms and obviously we wouldn't rule that out," Morrison affirmed.

"My feeling would be that Dublin won't go outside the county. But if they do and we're approached, we'd obviously consider it."

The Derry and Armagh natives had become highly sought after, following their partnership in Donegal, Derry and Mayo – where they helped the Westerners reach the 2006 All-Ireland decider.

Moran also managed the Sligo footballers, and was involved in the late 90s with the Irish International Rules team alongside fellow selectors Colm O'Rourke, John O'Keefe and John Tobin.