News round-upThe position of Galway hurling manager will go to either Conor Hayes or Mattie Murphy after the third candidate, Noel Lane, withdrew his name ahead of interviews with a seven-man selection committee last Tuesday night.
Hayes and Murphy will go before next Monday's meeting of the hurling board for final ratification. Hayes is still slightly favoured to get a third year in charge, but Murphy, a former senior manager, has gained significant popularity since leading the Galway minors to the All-Ireland title last September.
That was the county's first minor title in four years, and only sixth in all, and was won in a brilliant replay over Kilkenny. Hayes was seen to be making progress over the past two years, but the heavy championship defeat to Kilkenny might yet come back to haunt him.
In Clare, the county board have put the under-21 hurling management in the charge of Seán O'Halloran. Senior goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald will act as a selector, with the third member still to be appointed. Among the main candidates there is former senior selector Louis Mulqueen, who would focus on the physical preparations.
There was some talk of Mike McNamara coming forward for the position, but that never materialised. The former Clare trainer stepped down as Offaly manager at the end of the season, and appears intent on taking a break from the game.
Alan Cunningham was in charge of the Clare under-21 side during this year's campaign, but intends to focus on his senior responsibilities along with manager Anthony Daly and Fr Harry Bohan.
In football, meanwhile, former Fermanagh manager Dominic Corrigan has insisted that he's not yet ready to take up the position of Sligo manager. The Sligo County Board have indicated he is their main candidate to succeed James Kearins, and are intent on making an announcement before the end of the month.
Corrigan, however, remains committed to managing Tyrone club champions Carrickmore for as long as they are involved in the Ulster club championship.
Next Sunday they travel to Casement Park to face Antrim champions St Gall's in their replayed Ulster club championship quarter-final.
Current Fermanagh manager Charlie Mulgrew could yet be spoilt for choice when he finalises his football panel for the coming season. Both Gallagher brothers, Raymond and Rory, attended last Saturday's first trial, ending their self-imposed exile. Two other experienced players, Michael Lilly and Kieran Donnelly, were also in attendance after missing last season's championship campaign.
There were 31 players in attendance last Saturday, with another trial set for this Saturday, and Mulgrew will have about 54 names to work with before cutting his final panel down to 30.
On the club scene, the Munster Council have set their club hurling final between Mount Sion and Toomevara for Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday November 21st. A replay, if it arises, has been fixed for Sunday November 28th in Walsh Park, Waterford, or Fraher Field, Dungarvan.
It was also announced yesterday that the first Munster senior club football semi-final between Bishoptown of Cork and Stradbally of Waterford has been fixed for Páirc Ui Rinn in Cork this Sunday at 2.30. The Cork club were always entitled to home advantage, despite some reports to the contrary.
The second semi-final between Kilmurry-Ibrickane of Clare and the Kerry representatives (Laune Rangers or Miltown/Castlemaine) has been deferred for one week until Sunday, November 21st, at 2.30, to be played at the Clare venue of Quilty.
The Kerry representatives will be decided this Sunday after Laune Rangers meet Miltown/Castlemaine in Tralee at 1.30, a game necessary since newly crowned county champions South Kerry are not eligible to play in the Munster championship.
As a result of all that, the Munster club football final has been put back one week to Sunday December 5th.
