Sean McCarville has been handed the difficult task of revitalising Monaghan's football fortunes, having been ratified as manager of the county team at last night's county board meeting. From Scotstown, McCarville was previously involved with the county team as an assistant to Michael McCormack during his term as manager over three years ago and he brings to the position a wealth of experience both as a player and coach. The holder of three Ulster Club championship medals, McCarville won Ulster senior championship medals with Monaghan in 1979 and 1985.

Monaghan, managed by Eamonn McEneaney, exited the Ulster championship at the preliminary stage this year, losing out by 2-12 to 1-10 to Fermanagh.

PJ McKenna, who was assistant-manager along with McEnaney when the county won this season's Ulster under-21 championship, has been given sole charge of the under-21 side.

Meanwhile, angry protesters caused the postponement of the Limerick county under-21 football final between St Patrick's and Kilteely-Dromkeen because of a dispute with the county football board.

Both finalists had qualified without having had to play in semis. Their opponents, Athea and Castletown-Ballyagran, were removed from the competition following a chain of unusual circumstances.

Castletown, who didn't turn up for their semi-final, claimed that they received a telephone call from football board secretary John Redington in the lead-up to the match advising them that it had been deferred. However, Redington denied that he had made any such call.

Athea also failed to fulfil their semi-final fixture against Kilteely-Dromkeen. Representatives from both clubs turned up at Sunday's final to protest.

With the protesters standing in front of the gates leading on to the pitch, the match was eventually postponed.