Tohill due to be named as rules coach

NEWS ROUND-UP:THE GAA are expected to announce the appointment of Anthony Tohill as manager of Ireland's international rules challenge next October at a media briefing in Croke Park tomorrow.

The former Derry All-Ireland winner captained Ireland on the successful 2001 tour to Australia, where Tohill led Brian McEniff’s team to a 2-0 series victory.

One of the great Irish international players, Tohill has since retirement been involved as a selector and assistant manager under outgoing coach Seán Boylan.

Highly regarded for his knowledge of the international game, the former All Star centrefielder, was recruited by AFL club Melbourne Demons after winning an All-Ireland minor medal with Derry in 1989.

He returned, however, in 1990 and immediately graduated to the county seniors under Eamonn Coleman, winning NFL and AllIreland medals in 1992 and ’93.

He would be the 10th international manager since the series was inaugurated 26 years ago. Only two of his predecessors remained unbeaten – Dublin’s Kevin Heffernan, who took charge for just one series in 1986, and Meath’s Colm O’Rourke, who served for two years 1998-99 and won both series.

There are no details of his back-room team, but it is believed that Meath’s Trevor Giles will be involved in some capacity.

Like Tohill a former All-Ireland winner, Giles was also a distinguished international player and captained his country in the 2000 series.

Meanwhile, there was positive news of Galway hurling goalkeeper James Skehill, who was taken from the field in an ambulance during the NHL match against Kilkenny at the weekend.

He will miss the next league match, against Dublin, as is standard procedure for anyone who has suffered concussion.

But Skehill, who left hospital on Sunday night and travelled home in the company of the team doctor, has made himself available for tonight’s training session, but will not be able to take a full part.

“James will be fine thank God,” said selector Joe Connolly. “He travelled home with Dr Dan Murphy after the match and he kept in close touch with him for a good bit of the evening.

“I spoke to him a few hours ago and he is fine. He didn’t go to work today as he has bad headaches and slept very uneasily, but he will be fine.”