February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Sean Creedon
A few years back I did an April Fool’s piece in these pages saying that Kerry star Maurice Fitzgerald was about to declare for Dublin. Well, it’s now November, so I am not spoofing when I say that Dublin have appointed a culchie as their football manager.
Next to Kerry, Dublin is probably the most high-profile intercounty football job in Ireland and Mayo-born Tommy Lyons has been given a three-year term to try to bring Sam Maguire back to the capital.
Really, I don’t know what all the fuss is about as The Dubs already have a culchie in charge of their hurling team, but, of course, in the capital hurling does not really matter.
Although Lyons and his family moved to Dublin when he was 9 years old, he is still not considered a Dub. Six years ago, Lyons almost got the job, but there were rumors that certain elements within the Dublin County Board didn’t want a culchie, so the job then went to Mickey Whelan.
Lyons, who had led Kilmacud Crokes to an All-Ireland club title, then took his talents to Offaly, but for the last few years has been working as an analyst for RTE and the Evening Herald.
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Lyons admits that he will be taking a drop in income by taking on the Dublin job, but, clearly, he is motivated by the challenge.
“My ambition is simple: I want to win an All-Ireland with Dublin as quickly as possible,” he said. “The GAA needs a strong, vibrant Dublin team and to maintain that we must be winning All-Ireland titles at regular intervals.”
Lyons’s selectors will be Paul Caffrey (Na Fianna), Paddy Canning (Erin’s Isles) and Dave Billings (St. Vincent’s) and the quartet will also take charge of the Dublin Under 21 side.
Sligo want Easter date
The Sligo County Board has written to the Connacht Council requesting an Easter weekend date for their Connacht Championship first-round tie against New York. Sligo don’t want to travel to the Big Apple in May and say they would be without five major players if the game is played in May.
Sligo manager Peter Ford is a schoolteacher and Easter would also suit him.
O’Dwyer a Kerry selector
John O’Dwyer, son of the legendary Micko, has been elected as a Kerry selector for the coming year. The 38-year-old Killorglin-based solicitor joins Eamonn Walsh of Knocknagoshel and Eddie Tatler O’Sullivan of Dr. Crokes on Paidi O ST’s team for 2002. Coach John O’Keeffe is also a selector.
The only nominee in the race for the selector’s job to lose out was Sean Counihan, who had a very public row with O ST two years ago.
Femanagh seeks fitness
New Fermanagh football manager Dom Corrigan has appointed Michael McGurn, the former trainer of the Great Britain Rugby League team, as the team’s fitness coordinator for the coming year.
A native of Enniskillen and a graduate of Villanova University, McGurn’s athletic career was cut short by injury. Corrigan has named a squad of 59 who are undergoing a fitness training program under McGurn.
Murphy for Mayo
Mattie Murphy, who had two spells in charge of Galway’s hurlers, is to move to neighbors Mayo. It will be a major task for Murphy to try to revive hurling in Mayo, who will be campaigning in Div. III of the
National League next year.
In Kilkenny selector Ger Henderson has stepped down due to work commitments. He will be replaced by former goalkeeper Noel Skehan of Bennettsbridge.
Fighter heads for L.A.
Dublin boxer Bernard Dunne, 21, has been given a dream ticket to a world glory title. Last week, Dunne signed a professional contract with County Meath promoter Brian Peters. Dunne will shortly move to Los Angeles, where he will train under the legendary Freddie Roach. Dunne’s fights will be promoted by Matt Tinley of America Presents.
Shelbourne’s Keely resting
Following the serious heart operation undergone by Liverpool manager Gerard Houlier, many soccer managers are now taking stock of their health. The latest to take a break is Dermot Keely, who is taking a two-week break from Shelbourne. In his absence, the Reds will be managed by assistant manager Alan Matthews and coach Noel King.
Airline drops Ryder
Aer Lingus have withdrawn as co-sponsors of The Ryder Cup, scheduled to be held in the K Club in County Kildare in 2006. The troubled airline is either pulling out of or not renewing 12 sponsorships, including the Smurfit European Open.
Given the events of the last few weeks, the company felt that these decision were inescapable, with a third of their workforce being made redundant.
Railway Cup follies
The folly of continuing with the Railway Cup competitions was evident once again at the weekend when the attendance for the Connacht vs. Ulster hurling game in Templemore was officially given as 40, yes 40. With five subs used by both provinces, seven match officials and various selectors it was probably the first time that there were more officials than spectators at the semifinal of what was once a major GAA attraction.
Wicklow to name O’Leary
Former Dublin goalkeeper John O’Leary is this week expected to be named as Wicklow football manager. O’Leary was a selector with Dublin last year. O’Leary has strong Wicklow connections — mother was from Kilmacanogue and his father was a Garda in Bray.