Future looks grim for O'Rourke

After four years as Down football manager the fate of Paddy O'Rourke will come down to a vote by the county management and clubs later this month.

O'Rourke has sought a fifth year in charge despite a hugely disappointing exit from the first round of the qualifiers at the hands of Sligo. Down beat Cavan in the Ulster championship but lost to Donegal at the quarter-final stage before a humiliating 1-7 to 0-4 defeat last month in Markievicz Park.

Despite county chairman Jerry Quinn coming out in support of the 1991 All-Ireland winning captain, the county executive opted against recommending O'Rourke for another term at a meeting on Wednesday night. O'Rourke was present and sought another term.

The clubs met in the week after the defeat to Sligo and, while no decision was taken, the future looks grim for O'Rourke.

O'Rourke has commanded the respect of the players despite some poor defeats in the last three years. In his first season in charge Down reached the Ulster final.

However, judging from star forward Benny Coulter's comments before the Sligo game, O'Rourke's days may be numbered.

"We're in the qualifiers now so it's going to be a hard road to travel but there is a lot of expectations, as we failed to deliver against Donegal. If we don't beat Sligo there will be big, big changes in Down football," said Coulter.