Former Offaly centrefielder Joachim Kelly is the new Wexford hurling manager. Kelly was unanimously approved at last night's meeting of the Wexford county board following a recommendation from a special committee set up three months ago following the resignation of Rory Kinsella.
Kelly, who wants an input into the appointment of his two selectors, will meet with the committee in the coming week to discuss potential candidates.
An All-Ireland medal winner with Offaly in 1981 and 1985, Kelly is a PE teacher at the Garda Training Centre in Templemore. A native of Banagher, this is Kelly's first inter-county appointment. He takes up the post with immediate effect and will have his first game in charge against Waterford in the South-East league on October 31st.
Meanwhile, the violent scenes which marred the Ulster club championship match between Bellaghy from Derry and Castleblayney from Monaghan at Healy Park, Omagh on Sunday are certain to become a subject for investigation by the Ulster Council.
Indications are, however, that the disciplinary hearing will not take place before Bellaghy play in the next round of the championship against St Eunan's, Letterkenny, next Sunday.
This was the third match between the sides and the second which went to extra time. Widespread mayhem broke out with players and substitutes from both sides involved in disgraceful scenes as the game neared the end of normal time. Surprisingly, the extra time which followed, and saw Bellaghy emerge as 1-19 to 113 winners, was contested without much rancour.
It is now certain that the Ulster Council will take action to punish those responsible and, once the report of referee Martin McBrien is available, it is believed that stern action will be taken. Limerick hurling champions Ahane will have to field without captain Clement Smith for Sunday's Munster club championship clash with Toomevara of Tipperary. Smith, sent off in last month's Limerick championship final replay against Kilmallock, has received a one-month suspension.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)