Offaly's Dooley ratified for another season

Joe Dooley has been reappointed as Offaly senior hurling manager, with 2011 set to be his fourth year at the helm.

A three-time All-Ireland winner as a player, his ratification came at tonight's Offaly County Board meeting in Tullamore.

Dooley succeeded John McIntyre as Offaly boss in late 2007, and the Faithfuls have made gradual progress since then.

They almost reached this year's Leinster SHC semi-final, losing to Galway in a replay. In the All-Ireland qualifiers, they succumbed to eventual champions Tipperary.

Selectors Pat McLoughney and Brendan Kelly will continue to assist Dooley next year, with Galway man Francis Forde joining the Offaly management team as a coach.

A statement from the Offaly County Board read: "Joe Dooley's three-year term concluded at the end of this year's Championship campaign.

"He recently confirmed his interest in remaining as manager and, as a result, the County Board did not speak with any other potential candidates. His term has been extended for one year."