Down Hurling Manager

[Bacon]

Is there anybody else on here going to the meeting?

[johnneycool]

Heard a rumour that the Gaelic Life should be interesting this week!

What's in it?

Can you post it up here as I don't buy it?

[Lecale2]

I found this on the Gaelic Life web site. I'm posting it here without comment! 

This is from a couple of weeks ago so I take it it's not what Pull Hard is referring to.

Still no sign of white smoke in Down  

AS we enter into late-October, the world of Down hurling is still in a state of flux, with still no manager appointed to take the reins. Last month the Down County Board posted an advertisment inviting candidates to put their names forward for consideration, but at the time of writing ahead of last night's (Thursday) county board meeting, no news of an appointment is imminent.

This role has been a virtual merry-go round of managers and quick-fix solutions, with the task seemingly an unattractive one. Since John Crossey was ousted in 2006, Cork man Sean Farrell took the reigns temporarily. A heavy defeat to Carlow in the Christy Ring Cup semi-final signalled his departure.

This year Ballygalgat man Gerard Coulter took on the job for the year, but a lack of interest seems to be the thinking now towards the post.

Former manager Frank Dawson confirmed he was not interested in putting his name forward for consideration, and expressed views on what the county board need in their new appointment. "One of the things may be the fortunes of the county team. It's a chicken and egg situation; if you don't have enough talent available to make an impression, you don't attract people on a long-term basis. But if you don't attract someone with good quality and develop the team into a successful unit, well, it's a Catch-22 situation.

"When you get that combination, with no disrespect to previous managers, players are more likely to stick with their clubs for success."

While the county board trawls for a man to take hold of the team, Frank expresses his preference, "Paddy Braniff has been doing sterling work in hurling. He has all the creditials, knows hurling inside out, and has done huge work outside the Ards. He's certainly for me the outstanding candidate.

"It needs to be someone recognised within the hurling fraternity, is a strong character and is prepared to work at it and galvanise everyone else to work at it."

[johnneycool]

Heard a rumour that the Gaelic Life should be interesting this week!

I read the article in question at the weekend there. I can't remember the author's name, John something or other but he was on the button with most of his remarks and had a few details which an outsider wouldn't know too much about so he must of got his info from a reliable source.

The general crux of the article was that the full county board only pay lipservice to hurling, discussed at the end of meetings etc, etc. The Hurling board has no powers to speak of, poorly organised setups, Ards clubs not consulted about how the county were going to vote on the restructuring of the championships, falling out with each other, i.e. minor semi-final debacle and all that which to an insider isn't breaking news but probably an eye opener for some of the less informed out there.

I also read an article in the same magazine about Jim McKernan comparing the Down county board favourably against the Antrim one and whilst Jim certainly was undermined in Antrim he should maybe of kept his powder and seen how the county board deliver on those promises.

Oh, and i found out that Fred Kelly is also part of the backroom staff, sweet jesus.

Best of luck Jim, you'll need every bit of it.