Wallace returns to Antrim hurlers as a selector

ANTRIM CHAIRMAN Jim Murray has confirmed that Jerry Wallace has rejoined the Antrim hurling management team in a selector role.

Wallace resigned last week following a row with RTÉ, but was back on the sideline on Friday when Antrim lost a challenge game to Wexford, 2-16 to 2-14 .

Jim Nelson, who guided Antrim to the All-Ireland final in 1989, has already stepped in as the county’s new manager.

“We were disappointed when Jerry resigned last week, he brought a lot to the Antrim set up since January,” said Murray. “When he made himself available to Jim and the managerial set up the response was very positive. Jerry knows the players very well and it would be foolish not to capitalise on the that insight and experience.

“You can probably say that we have travelled a strange road over the last ten days or so, but the end result is a managerial team, led by Jim Nelson, which is totally focused on the upcoming games.”

The draw for the first round of the All-Ireland football qualifiers takes place this morning on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland show at 8.30am.

The draw will include Antrim, Cavan, Fermanagh, London, Roscommon, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Louth, Longford, Wicklow, Laois, Derry, Offaly and Carlow, with all games set for Saturday, June 30th. Find out how the draw went on irishtimes.com/sports