O’Dwyer’s Laois look ready for semis

Most interest will be in the 1B game at Portlaoise, where Laois, now managed by Mick O’Dwyer, take on Kildare. Micko has done a good job with Laois and, of course, also had some great days with the Lilywhites. Laois are unbeaten, winning four and drawing two of their six games and looking good for a semifinal spot. Kildare are bottom of the table with two points, but they are still hopeful that they may able to recover the two points deducted for their win over Sligo. Kildare are appealing to the GAA’s Games Administration Committee claiming that they were harshly treated for not naming their subs for the Sligo game and that a fine, rather than the deduction of the points, would have been a more appropriate punishment. If Cavan beat Sligo they could join Laois in the semifinals.
Div. 1A looks like it will be a battle between Cork, Tyrone and Armagh, who are all tied on eight points. Tyrone are at home to Cork, while Armagh travel to Tralee to play Kerry. And the tables are also tight in the two second divisions. Derry and Wexford could go up from 2B, while Westmeath and Limerick look likely tabletoppers in 2A.

O’LEARY FOR FULHAM?
David O’Leary is among the favorites to take over as manager of Fulham during the summer. Last week the London club announced that they would not be renewing the contract of their current manager, Frenchman Jean Tigana.
Chairman Mohamed Al Fayed, who owns the famous Harrods Store in London, has pumped millions into the club and while they did win promotion to the premier division, their performances have been poor this season. O’Leary is now free to resume his managerial career following the settlement of his contract after being sacked by Leeds United last year. Others reported to be in the running for the job include John Collins, the former Scottish international Louis Van Gaal, who was sacked recently by Barcelona, and former Japan coach Philippe Troussier, who was also mentioned for the Irish job earlier this year.

ENGLISH TO TEACH DUBLINERS
After turning down offers to become Dublin hurling manager and the Dubs’ director of hurling, former Tipperary star Nicky English is now going to help the Dublin schools nurture young talent. Nicky, who quit as Tipp senior hurling manager last year, is based in Dublin where he works for Allied Irish Finance.
“Nicky is doing this on a voluntary basis,” said schools officer Tom O’Donnell. “It’s a huge boost because you couldn’t get a bigger name in hurling. The Nicky English school of hurling has a ring to it that will appeal to everyone. We are confident that Nicky has the personality to drive on the development of hurling in Dublin.”

MAYO MANAGER FURIOUS
Mayo manager John Maughan has strongly denied rumors that Kieran McDonald is quitting the county football panel. A local radio station in the West of Ireland broadcast a report that McDonald was quitting. But Maughan, who has just quit as manager of Crossmolina after their All-Ireland club final defeat to concentrate on the Mayo job, was furious.
“There isn’t a grain of truth in the report,” he said. “I gave the four Crossmolina lads, including Kieran, a break after losing the club final to Nemo Rangers. However, Kieran damaged his toe in the club final and might be out for a while.”
Meanwhile, McDonald incurred a euro 300 fine for his club after his decision to wear white socks in the recent AIB club final. The other 14 Crossmolina players all wore maroon socks.

BIDS FOR DUFF LIKELY
Irish international Damien Duff could be on his way out of Blackburn Rovers in the summer. Blackburn CEO John Williams has hinted that the club would be willing to listen to offers for their highly rated winger.
“We have received no new bids for Damien, but it’s very likely that there will be transfer activity in the summer as the club looks to trade,” he said.
Manchester United and Liverpool are the likely bidders for the talented Dubliner.
Meanwhile, Clinton Morrison, who had to pull out of last weekends’ trip to Tbilisi and Tirana, looks like he’ll be out of action for the remainder of the season. Morrison, who injured his collarbone in a recent club game for Birmingham, will now need surgery, which means the promising striker will miss the friendly against Norway on April 30 and the two European Championship games in Dublin in June against Albania and Georgia.