Derry look to Coleman

Eamonn Coleman was last night ratified as manager of the Derry football team. Coleman, who led Derry to the All-Ireland in 1993, will team up with Aidan McGuckin.

The new management team succeeds Brian Mullins, the former Dublin player who led Derry to this year's All-Ireland semi-final.

This brings Coleman back into the position he lost at the end of the 1994 season. Since then he has had a stint at Longford which ended after a disastrous championship last year.

Coleman was controversially fired from the Derry job in the wake of a defeat to Down in the 1994 championship. Derry, the reigning All-Ireland champions, were sent crashing in a game viewed by many as one of the season's best.

Meanwhile, Cork manager Larry Tompkins has put his name forward for another season. Tompkins had some doubts about going on for a third year, but will be joined by selectors Paddy Sheehan and Conor Counihan with the third selector to come from victorious county champions Bantry Blues next week.

John Crowley is in line for appointment as the new Kerry captain following his inspiring performance with East Kerry in the county football final on Sunday. Crowley captained his side to a 2-13 to 1-10 victory over St Kieran's and contributed 1-1 to their total.