Something rotten in the Orchard

JAMES McCARTAN has been appointed manager of the Down senior footballers. He has named a high-powered back-room team, including former All-Ireland winning Tyrone trainer Paddy Tally and Brian McIver, who took Ballinderry to an All-Ireland club title.

The appointment was expected and is for three years.

Meanwhile, Armagh footballers released a statement yesterday expressing “growing disillusionment” with the steps being taken by the county board to find a replacement for Peter McDonnell.

The statement comes in the wake of the resignation of a sub-committee appointed to find a new manager. “We are of one belief that this appointment should be made with the greater good of Armagh football as the sole driver,” runs the statement. “The clubs via their nominations identified a primary candidate to whom the players remain supportive but due to what we see as personal agendas and a flawed process their voices have been overlooked.”

The “primary candidate” is believed to be Paul Grimley.