O'Dwyer finally commits to Laois

Mick O'Dwyer has broken his silence to confirm he will be at the helm of Laois football for at least another championship campaign, presuming his players tow the party line.

In a phone call yesterday morning to county board chairman Dick Miller, O'Dwyer stated his intention to stay for another season, although he would not wholeheartedly commit to the two-year extension he had agreed with the board, fuelling speculation 2005 may be his last year in the midlands.

"I have been appointed for two years and we'll take it year by year," said the Kerry legend. "I'm quite happy here in Laois but certainly if there is a recurrence of the problems of training I'll certainly walk away from this. What happened on those two nights is not on."

O'Dwyer stressed it was not a monetary issue that caused this whole affair to boil over, nor was it the vacant Dublin manager's role. He stated he never even met Dublin chairman John Bailey in any official capacity.

"I met John Bailey at the ladies football final in Croke Park and we talked. In fairness, if I was free it would be another day's work but sure John Bailey has been holding interviews up in Dublin. If I had left the Laois angle maybe he might have approached me. There is no connection. Nor is there any connection with the Carlow County Board, as some here have been saying.

"Sure it's the bookies that started all this and they are the ones making all the money out of this - you can be sure of that.

"There is a lot of talk about money but it was never a question of expenses. I received the expenses laid out in the rules of the Gaelic association. I have had no problems with the payment of expenses from Laois. That was off the mark. It was the two nights at training that was the only reason in the world."

As far as the county board is concerned this debacle is finished and O'Dwyer will oversee training on the Heath tonight.

"We are happy that he is back," said Miller. "He is definitely back for one more year. It's as simple as that and is now over and done with. He said he will be at training tomorrow (Thursday)."

The problem of absent players from scheduled sessions is nothing new in Laois, where indiscipline is an old problem. The low turnout of players at pre-season training recently was put down to college commitments, while players from county champions Portlaoise are focusing on the Leinster club championship.

O'Dwyer made it quite clear he will accept nothing less than full commitment in the future. The player reaction from last Tuesday night's meeting seems to suggest the panel are in full agreement.

Meanwhile, Steven McDonnell has been ruled out of Sunday's second Test of the International Rules series after a recurrence of a foot injury. The Armagh forward scored one goal and two overs in the first Test.

The Australians have lost Jared Crouch, who fell awkwardly after a challenge with Padraic Joyce last week. Jude Bolton (thigh) and Matt Lappin, who injured himself against the Dublin selection, are also doubtful.

The Ireland team and management have not met since breaking up last Sunday evening, mainly because of work commitments, and will reconvene Friday lunchtime to finalise plans for the second Test. The squad will only then have a run-out in Croke Park, in contrast to their opponents who have been training all week in the west.

Dinny Cahill has refused to accept another term as Antrim hurling manager until he can meet the county executive in the coming weeks to discuss plans for the year and also learn the identity of his management team. Ger Rogan and Tom McLean were the Tipperary man's selectors but they have not yet been re-appointed.

"I have to meet these people (the county executive) to put my proposals forward and they may not be accepted. Also, they have to name new selectors and I don't know if I'll agree so there are plenty of ifs and buts that come with any new job. I can't say I have the job yet. It's up to the executive to get back to me."