Dublin hope to appoint new manager within a month

The Dublin County Board are hoping to appoint a successor to senior hurling manager Michael O'Grady within the next month, although there are no obvious candidates for what is sure to be a demanding job.

O'Grady's four-year stint concluded with the heavy loss to Kilkenny on Sunday although it had been decided last year that this would be his final season. Originally O'Grady took the job for three years, but his reign was extended for another 12 months.

However, O'Grady has no doubt that the time has come to move on. "After four years, the players deserve a new voice," he said after Sunday's 15-point defeat. "It's at the stage now where they know what you're going to say even before you say it.

"We were badly caught in this game but there are some good young hurlers in there and with a new person on the sideline I believe that next year could be a good year."

The Dublin board met last night to delegate the task of seeking out the right candidates. According the county chairman John Egan, the process will take about a month.

"As a county, the next competitive fixture won't be until the autumn with the Walsh Cup and then the start of the National League," said Egan. "But our own senior championship starts next Sunday, with a full round of matches on July 25th.

"And for the benefit of the person coming in it would be ideal to have him in position by then in order to start the process of searching out new players and the like."

While Egan also stated that it was a little early to look at possible candidates, there are a number of names which are sure to be considered. Paidi O'Neill had an impressive run with the Dublin minor side in 1996-97 as well as the under-21 side of 1998-99. He is taking a year out of management but may be tempted to return.

Another possibility is current under-21 manager Mick Dempsey, who was appointed at short notice last year but may also make the jump to the senior side. Whatever the outcome, it won't be an easy task to restore confidence in the Dublin side after a second heavy beating from Kilkenny in the last three years.

O'Grady believes that Dublin need to play teams like Offaly and Kilkenny on a more regular basis if this "fear of the black and amber" is to be overcome. And while well organised under-age development squads are in place, it still might take a few more years before that happens.

Meanwhile, the Clare County Board are expected to discuss Ger Loughnane's position as hurling manager when they meet this evening.

It is unlikely, however, that any major announcement will be made for the time being. Loughnane has taken time to consider whether he will stay on for another season. According to a source in Clare yesterday, the matter is set to be deferred until the end of the current under-21 campaign.