Antrim decide on Dawson

The Antrim County Board have plumped for Frank Dawson to be the county's next senior football manager, following a statement released last night (Friday).

The St. Gall's clubman has emerged as the board's preferred candidate to succeed Liam Bradley, who stepped down in August after four years in charge.

Dawson will be put forward for ratification at a County Committee meeting on Monday night, having seen off competition from fellow interviewees Gearoid Adams and Brian White.

Adams had been earmarked as the favourite for the role. He was a selector under Bradley, who gave a newspaper interview suggesting that Adams would be 'the perfect guy for it'.

But Dawson's greater managerial experience, which includes a stint as Down senior hurling manager, obviously stood to him in the final decision.

More recently, the Belfast man guided Burren to two Down Club SFC titles and an Ulster Club final appearance. He has lined up John Rafferty as a key member of his Antrim management team.

With news of his selection breaking, Dawson said: "It is an honour to be appointed manager to any inter-county team and when it is your own county then that is special.

"I know there is a very good crop of players there at the minute and I am looking forward to getting to work. Liam Bradley brought Antrim on significantly during the last four years and I intend to build on that success."

Commenting on the process of finding the new manager, Antrim chairman Jim Murray admitted: "All of the candidates were very impressive, it was a very high standard and while that made our job more difficult, we are delighted to recommend Frank Dawson as our incoming manager.

"Frank has experience, a proven track record and his enthusiasm and commitment are second to none.

"This is a new era for Antrim football and we believe that Frank Dawson is the man to bring our footballers to the next level."