Bookies still tip O’Neill

THE FAI may insist they are not rushing to appoint Brian Kerr’s successor but punters have been racing to the bookies in the wake of his departure as Ireland boss.

Martin O’Neill’s position as favourite solidified while Liam Brady and John Aldridge were the most significant movers in the betting markets yesterday.

Paddy Power bookmakers last night reported a single bet of €2,000 on former Celtic manager O’Neill, their largest wager yet on the race to replace Kerr. That helped the former Northern Ireland player, also believed to be at the top of the FAI’s wish list, shorten from 11/2 to 7/2 with Powers.

Aldridge was cut from 12/1 to 11/2 by the same firm on a busy day at the offices, while Brady, one of Kerr’s fiercest critics, saw his odds slashed from 33/1 to 8s. Cashman’s in Cork have Brady at 2/1 from 20/1.

Denying any interest in the job is no guarantee of lengthening odds, however with plenty of money still coming in for Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, the subject of a flurry of small bets.

William Hill were quoting him as 13/2 fourth favourite yesterday.