Daly is kept on as O'Brien loses vote

GAELIC GAMES:ANTHONY DALY has been reappointed Dublin hurling manager for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Dublin’s shock defeat to Antrim in the third round of the hurling qualifiers – letting slip a winning position – was a major disappointment and was considered to be a big setback in the county’s progress under Daly.

At last night’s meeting of the Dublin county committee, however, the Clareman was given the two-year extension and his selectors – Ciarán Hetherton (Craobh Chiaráin), Richie Stakelum (Kilmacud Crokes) and Vincent Teehan (Ballyboden/St. Enda’s) – were also reappointed.

One manager who was not so lucky was Meath football supremo Eamonn O’Brien, who has paid the price for the county’s exit at the hands of Kildare in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

The Meath county board meeting in Navan last night rejected the management committee’s recommendation that O’Brien continue into a third term as the Royals’ senior football team manager.

John Purfield of the St Patrick’s club suggested that the management team was not strong enough and other delegates were critical of the slowness to make changes during the games against Louth and Kildare.

In defence of O’Brien, chairman Barney Allen noted the county’s first Leinster title since 2001 while Central Council representative Brendan Cummins said that Meath would be a laughing stock if they got rid of a man who had guided the county to All-Ireland semi-final and quarter-final places as well as that provincial success.

However, the vote was 32 to 29 against O’Brien being returned and clubs will now be asked to nominate another candidates for the position.