Kinsella likely to succeed Griffin

LIAM GRIFFIN'S resignation yesterday as manager of All-Ireland hurling champions, Wexford, came as no surprise to those who have been aware of the Rosslare man's domestic pressures.

Bunclody school teacher Rory Kinsella, who has been a vital part of Griffin's management team in recapturing the McCarthy Cup for the first time since 1968, is almost certain to be installed as the county's new manager at next Monday night's meeting of the county board.

Griffin and fellow selector Seamus Barron will be recommending the appointment of Kinsella for a two-year period at Monday's meeting. This rules out any speculation of George O'Connor being the likely successor.

Griffin, the man who claims hurling to be the Riverdance of sport, spoke of his decision yesterday: "It has been known for some time by people close to the team that I was going to resign. My wife has not been well since last Christmas and that's the primary reason. I have my own domestic commitments and I have an obligation to do things and I must fulfil those obligations."

When reminded of what he has meant to Wexford hurling, Griffin replied: "I am flattered to hear that there is such a huge disappointment around the county because of my resignation. I think I have opened up a whole new vista for our children and that is special and important to me as we step towards the next century.

"I have a passion for hurling. I am not going away from the game. I never will, such is my love for the sport. I will always be involved. I will continue to be involved at under-age level. I will continue to be involved with coaching at my own club. The game means so much to me."

Griffin, a hotelier in Wexford, stressed that he has no interest in securing high office within the GAA or going into politics.

"I will continue to pursue the promotion of hurling. The successes of the past year and bringing the McCarthy Cup and O'Keeffe Cup (Leinster championship) around the schools have been the most rewarding experiences of my life."

Yesterday, Griffin and George O'Connor were busy visiting schools with the McCarthy Cup.

As a motivator, Griffin goes into the record books of Wexford hurling alongside the legendary Nicky Rackard. He is very anxious that the young people of Wexford understand fully why he is stepping down at this time.

Christy Keogh, Griffin's predecessor in 1994, said that the resignation was regrettable and emphasised that he would not be interested in returning to the job.

"The pity is that Liam is not to stay on to attempt a back-to-back All-Ireland success which he would deserve." For his own part Keogh said: "I was very unlucky, with the team losing out by a single point so many times. Defeats like that are hard to take. You can grow old before your time."

Meanwhile, Kinsella will act as caretaker manager for Wexford's next match, which was due to be next Sunday against Dublin in the Oireachtas Cup at Parnell Park.

It seems that this fixture will not he played, as it does not appear on the official list for Sunday. Still, Wexford secretary Mick Kinsella had no knowledge of a postponement late last night.

Noel Lane, meanwhile, could be in Cyril Farrell's management team when the Galway senior hurling selectors are ratified at tomorrow's meeting of the Galway senior hurling board. Lane has decided not to continue with the county's minor team following last Sunday's defeat by Tipperary in the All-Ireland final replay.

Fergal McCormack of Mallow will be the only player involved in Sunday's Cork county hurling final replay to have sampled intercounty championship fare this year. He lines out with Avondhu against Imokilly in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Offaly will, after all, participate in the 1996/97 National Hurling League. Last night's meeting of the Offaly County Board in Tullamore voted, by the necessary two-thirds majority, to rescind an earlier decision by the county not to take part as a protest against the new format of the competition.

A protracted discussion ensued before the matter was put to a vote when a proposal to rescind was carried by 33 votes to 10.