TEAM NEWS: JOE DOOLEY stepped down as Offaly hurling manager yesterday after four years at the helm.

Having lost to Dublin by four points in the Leinster quarter-final on May 29th, Offaly went out of the championship last Saturday when losing by a point to 14-man Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“I think it’s maybe time to step aside and let somebody else in,” Dooley, Offaly’s only three-time All-Ireland winner, told RTÉ News. “I’ve had four very enjoyable years, we’ve made a lot of progress, there’s a lot of great young fellas there that have given great commitment over the last few years and they’re up to a level now where maybe they need to hear a different voice and for that reason I’m stepping aside.”

Meanwhile, Meath manager Séamus McEnaney not only defended the decision to bring

38-year-old Graham Geraghty back into the fold in recent weeks but added he believes the 1999 All-Ireland winning captain is the best footballer ever produced by the Royal County.

“He’s very, very good with the young lads. He has a lot to offer to this Meath set-up, not just this year but for a couple of more years.”

But surely not as a player?

“Absolutely,” said McEnaney at yesterday’s launch of the CIÉ Transport Gaels GAA club’s 125th year celebrations.

“Graham Geraghty is in great shape,” McEnaney continued. “He’s a brilliant influence on the panel. He’s a very positive influence on the dressingroom. He has been, since he’s come in, he has given 100 per cent to the set-up.

“For me, I don’t care if a fella is 18 or 38, it doesn’t make any difference. . . I’ll say it hand on heart, and some people might not like this, Graham Geraghty is the best footballer Meath ever produced, in my eyes.”

The CIÉ Transport Gaels will be hosting a series of football, hurling and camogie matches in Croke Park on Saturday, October 8th in aid of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Special Olympics Ireland.

Tom McNicholas, who was the last surviving member of Mayo’s 1936 All-Ireland-winning squad and the oldest surviving All-Ireland medallist in Gaelic football, has died at the age of 96.