Leitrim's McGinnity steps down

Peter McGinnity's resignation as manager of Leitrim footballers was confirmed last night by the county's executive committee. Speaking last night, the former Fermanagh player said that he felt his departure might give his successor a chance to ready the side for the Championship.

McGinnity also said that having had the opportunity to coach the late Shane McGettigan eclipsed any of his recent tribulations in the Leitrim job.

"It was a job that I gave the hours to but it just ran away from me," he said. "I have had some great times with Leitrim and some chastising days as well. But when I look back at this episode in five years' time, I know I'll just be glad that I had the chance to work with Shane McGettigan, who was one of the best young footballers I've ever seen. I'll always be thankful for that."

Shane McGettigan, the son of Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, lost his life in a construction accident in Boston weeks after playing for Leitrim against Galway in the Connacht Championship last year.

Since that heavy defeat against the eventual All-Ireland champions, Leitrim have played miserably in the National Football League and have found themselves rooted in the basement of Division 1A. On Sunday, they failed to score against Offaly in the first half and eventually lost by 2-4 to 1-2.

That result led to increasing speculation that McGinnity would decide to step down. "Myself and my selectors, Shane Heslin and Thomas Quinn, felt that we simply weren't getting the best out of the team and that if things continued defeat against Roscommon in the championship would be the likely result. We hope that by leaving now, whoever comes in will have a bit of time to put their own mark on things."

The Leitrim executive announced the management team's departure in Carrick-on-Shannon last night and thanked the trio for their loyalty since September 1997. It was emphasised that the resignation had been completed amicably and that the committee had begun the task of establishing a replacement unit.

Meanwhile, Donegal manager Declan Bonner confirmed that an appeal would be lodged should full back John Joe Doherty receive a three-month match ban resulting from his dismissal for kicking an opponent during Sunday's McKenna Cup defeat to Antrim.

Doherty was dismissed in the last minute of the quarter-final in Belfast for apparently kicking Ronan Hamill, an offence which carries an automatic three-month ban, thereby excluding him from selection for Donegal's first round championship match against Armagh.

"Naturally we are concerned. All I remember is that the ball broke from the lads involved, I followed it and then the referee stopped play and John Joe was sent.

"A number of people said afterwards that it seemed to be more a trip than anything and I don't think it would be in John Joe's nature to actually kick a lad. It's out of our hands now, we have to wait until the referee's report goes in but, yes, we would of course appeal a maximum ban. It would be terrible to lose him so close to the Championship."

Tyrone's Brian Dooher could be forced to miss Sunday's crucial NFL Ulster clash against Armagh. Dooher is likely to be absent for a third successive game as his struggle to recover from a knee injury continues.