Antrim end long search for a new manager

Almost five months after Dinny Cahill walked out on the Antrim hurlers citing a lack of player commitment, the county board ended their long, drawn-out saga of unearthing a replacement by naming Jim McKiernan as the new manager yesterday.

With Louth football appointing Eamon McEneaney as their manager on Monday, the pre-season trawl for intercounty managers has finally concluded.

However, a timescale for McKiernan's term was not announced, neither were any selectors, a trainer or physio "subject to ratification by the Antrim county committee" who meet next Tuesday. Understandably, McKiernan has also made himself unavailable for comment until such time.

The Patrick Sarsfield clubman played hurling for Antrim at all levels and managed county sides at minor, under-21 and intermediate level. It is believed he impressed the management committee, headed up by county board chairman Joe O'Boyle, by having a respected trainer in place.

The search for Cahill's replacement - the Tipperary man was officially ratified as Laois manager this week - reached near farcical levels when another candidate, Jim McKillen, withdrew his name after becoming disillusioned with the protracted manner of the selection process.

McKillen and McKiernan, along with Dublin's David Foley, had been interviewed for the position several weeks ago, but on Monday night Ger Rogan was parachuted into the reckoning before McKiernan received the nomination.

The new manager will seek to guide Antrim back to the All-Ireland championship proper after they were relegated last season to the second-tier Christy Ring competition.

Meanwhile, Kilmacud Crokes will recall veteran Dublin player Jonny Magee for Sunday's Leinster club football semi-final replay against Offaly side Rhode in Newbridge.

Magee missed last week's drawn encounter because of the birth of his daughter.

However, there is a concern over the availability of another intercounty player, Paul Griffin - while Conor Murphy (suspended) and Declan Kelleher (injured) are still missing.

TG4 will televise the Ulster club football final between Derry champions Bellaghy and St Gall's of Antrim live from Omagh at 2pm this Sunday. Deferred coverage of the Leinster hurling club final between James Stephens and UCD from Portlaoise will follow at 3.40pm.

Limerick dual player Mark Riordan, who is to concentrate on hurling this year, is a likely starter in tonight's challenge match against Tipperary under lights at Dr Morris Park in Thurles.

Mark Keane, who also plays hurling and football with the county and has been restored to the panel after a 12-month absence, will have his return delayed because of a leg injury.

The women's All-Ireland club football final between defending champions Ballyboden St Enda's and Donaghmoyne takes place on Sunday in Croke Park at 2pm.

This is the Monaghan club's first appearance in an All-Ireland final, but their domestic record is impressive having won the last three county titles.

They beat the Connacht club football champions, St Brendan's of Galway, in the All-Ireland semi-final.