THE OFFALY County Board have appointed Tom Coffey as the interim manager of the senior football team for this summer’s championship season.

Coffey, who was appointed yesterday to replace Gerry Cooney, will be taking charge of the county side for the second time, after also filling the position during the 2009 league campaign.

Meanwhile, Michael Murphy is out of Donegal’s championship opener against Cavan at Breffni Park on May 20th.

Murphy sustained collateral ligament damage during Donegal’s league defeat to Dublin in Croke Park in March. While he didn’t require surgery, the full forward appears to have lost his fitness race – and the aim now will be to get ready to face Derry in June, should Donegal manage to get over the line against Cavan.

Wicklow preserved their hurling league Division Two A status with goals in the early stages of each half against Down.

Wicklow: J Murphy; Jim Connors, G Keogh, B Cuddihy (0-1); J Henderson, S Kelly, G Bermingham; E Kearns (1-1), R Keddy (0-2); John Connors, W O'Gorman (0-3), E Dunne; E Glynn (0-3), J O'Neill (1-1, goal pen, point free), A O'Brien (0-2). Subs: C Moorehouse (0-1) for John Connors (26 mins), E O'Neill for Jim Connors (49 mins), L Kennedy for Dunne (66 mins).

Down: S Keith; M Hughes, S Ennis, J Smyth; F Conway, C Woods, M Ennis; E Clarke, M Cunningham (0-1, sideline); P Sheehan, C Magean, A O'Prey (0-1); D Toner (0-1), P Braniff (0-14, 11 frees), P Keith. Subs: A Savage for Clarke, D Hughes for Sheehan (both 51), M Turley for Keith (57), D Hobbs for Toner (68).

Referee: F Smith (Meath).