Maughan omits big names from panel

John Maughan has stamped his authority as new Roscommon football manager by omitting five senior players from the 35-man panel for the 2006 season.

Goalkeeper Shane Curran and Frankie Dolan, who are spearheading county champions St Brigid's run to the Connacht club final this weekend, are the two most notable absentees.

Francie Grehan, Nigel Dineen and Michael Ryan join them in a cull that removes players largely believed to be responsible for indiscipline during the Tom Carr reign and before.

Maughan, along with Eamon McManus snr and new selector Gerry Fitzmaurice, made the collective decision in their first selection meeting.

Maughan was not prepared to speak yesterday about players not included in the panel.

"The idea is in line with what normally happens when a new management comes in. We have brought in some fresh blood.

"I have been relying largely on local knowledge and after getting 65 to 70 names, which we sat down and went through individually, we came up with the current panel."

Fitzmaurice was announced this week as the final piece in the three-man management team, making up the "local knowledge" along with McManus.

Maughan did go to see St Brigid's beat Leitrim champions Kiltubrid last Sunday when Dolan kicked 0-7 of his team's 1-11, all dead balls but from some of the most difficult angles imaginable.

Such a performance being overlooked indicates the former Mayo, Fermanagh and Clare manager has no intention of ever handing the player a Roscommon shirt.

What makes Dolan's position grimmer is several less influential St Brigid's players have been included in the panel, including long-serving intercounty stalwart Karl Mannion who kicked 1-1 last week.

"I've omitted some guys and, again, like most panels at this time of year it is open ended. We start training on Thursday and will go three times a week as most counties have started already," said Maughan.

Meanwhile, the selection of a new Antrim hurling manager has stalled despite the six-man committee completing their three interviews.

Former Antrim player Kevin McNaughton and Cork's Seán Farrell never went for interviews, leaving Jim McKernan of the Sarsfield club, former Antrim All Star Paul McKillen and Dublin's David Foley in line for the job.

The county chairman, Joe O'Boyle, will report the findings of the committee to club officers at a meeting organised for the launch of the club manual tonight in Ballymena.

However, sources on the county boards don't expect an announcement to be forthcoming.