O'Shea agrees to take control in Tipperary

INTERCOUNTY MANAGERS:EAMON O'SHEA has been appointed Tipperary's new hurling manager

The former intercounty hurler was coach to the Tipperary team from 2008 until after the AllIreland winning 2010 season.

O’Shea played minor, under-21 and senior hurling for Tipperary and he claimed an All-Ireland club title with Kilruane MacDonaghs in the 1985/86 season.

The other members of the management team have not been selected yet.

Meanwhile, the old rubber stamp is poised to fall on several manager appointments over the coming week, including Conor Counihan, still in the running to take charge of the Cork footballers for a sixth year.

Reports that Counihan has already agreed to take charge for 2013 appear a little premature, although he has indicated his willingness to talk terms with the Cork County Board, having been undecided in the weeks since Cork’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Donegal, and with that the Cork board could possibly seal his reappointment at next Tuesday’s meeting.

There is also talk that Counihan will consider a change in his backroom team, one or possibly more of his selectors Jim Nolan, Terry O’Neill, Ger O’Sullivan and Peader Healy making way – with current under-21 manager John Cleary possibly joining up.

Dublin County Board officials will be busy next Monday rubber-stamping as many as four key positions, including Jim Gavin as successor to Pat Gilroy as senior football manager, Anthony Daly’s fifth season as hurling manager, Dessie Farrell as new under-21 football manager, and possibly a new minor football manager as well.

Gavin remains the leading contender to take the senior position, having guided Dublin to a second All-Ireland under-21 title in three years: Daly too has already committed to sticking with the senior hurling position, while Farrell, who on Sunday guided Dublin to a first All-Ireland minor football title in 28 years, is the natural successor to Gavin at under-21 level.

Farrell was hesitant to commit in the aftermath of Sunday’s win, but has vacated the minor position with that victory. Cyril Kevlehan is among those being suggested as a replacement, and also former Dublin full back Paddy Christie.

Meath’s quest to find a replacement for Séamus McEnaney as senior football manager begins in earnest this week with a series of interviews lined up, including it seems Colm O’Rourke, Mick O’Dowd, Graham Geraghty and Paddy Carr. Current minor manager Andy McEntee, who lost out to Dublin in last Sunday’s All-Ireland final, may also have come back into the reckoning.

Kerry’s replacement for Jack O’Connor, Éamonn Fitzmaurice, is also set to confirm his backroom team, the latest addition there being Cian O’Neill, who worked with the Mayo footballers this season.

The Kildare native was also involved with the Tipperary hurlers in 2010.

MANAGERIAL MOVES: State of the counties

HURLING:

Dublin: Confirmation of Anthony Daly’s reappointment for a fifth season due next Monday.

Laois: Still searching for a replacement since Teddy

McCarthy’s departure after just one season in charge.

Tipperary: Yesterday came the news that former All-Ireland winning coach Eamon O’Shea will take charge, succeeding Declan Ryan.

Antrim: Former Carlow manager and Waterford-based Kevin Ryan now confirmed to take over from Jerry Wallace, who departed in August.

Offaly: Ollie Baker recently reappointed for second year.

Limerick: John Allen confirmed to take charge for a second year.

FOOTBALL:

Dublin: Jim Gavin now lined up to replace Pat Gilroy next Monday night.

Meath: Interviews this week to find a successor to Séamus McEnaney.

Wexford: With Jason Ryan’s five-year spell ended the county board is still seeking a replacement.

Laois: Justin McNulty in line for third year.

Kildare: Kieran McGeeney agreed to continue for a sixth year.

Carlow: Still vacant after Luke Dempsey’s departure.

Cork: Conor Counihan seemingly now agreeable to sixth season in charge.

Clare: Still vacant after Michael McDermott’s departure.

Tipperary: Peter Creedon poised to continue.

Waterford: Still vacant after John Owens’ departure.

Sligo: Would like Kevin Walsh to remain for a fifth campaign but his selector Paul Durcan would be a popular replacement should Walsh move on.

Monaghan: Malachy O’Rourke takes charge after previously been in the hot seat in Fermanagh.

Antrim: Still vacant after Liam Bradley stepped aside.

Derry: Former Donegal manager Brian McIver takes charge with the promise of a clean slate.

Armagh: Paul Grimley, Joe Kernan’s number two in 2002, gets his chance with the top job.

Down: James McCartan still poised for a fourth year in charge, but changes in backroom likely, including a replacement for Aidan O’Rourke.