Dublin's Whelan coy on 'annual' retirement decision

NEWS:PAT GILROY'S stated softly-softly approach towards tempting Mickey Whelan back onto the Dublin football management group has hit another snag.

Whelan was quick to note his 72 years as the latest reason for not wanting to be involved as the All-Ireland champions start preparations to retain their title next month.

“Ah, Pat’s a dreamer,” Whelan told Des Cahill at yesterday’s Philips Sports Manager of the Year awards, when asked if he could be convinced to reverse his now annual decision to step aside. But in the same breath he added: “You won’t win any awards without dreaming.”

The Dublin manager was unable to attend as he is overseas on the team holiday in San Diego and the Cayman Islands.

The main question for Dublin’s long-serving selector and coach (he was manager from 1996-99) was whether he is definitely not going to return once collective training begins on January 1st. Whelan was manager with Gilroy as his assistant when St Vincent’s captured the All-Ireland club title in 2008. The roles, of course, were reversed last September.

“It’s time for me to move on. I’m 72 now. It is time for others to come in and get involved. I’ll always be around if Pat wants to have a chat with me.”

The other question put to Whelan yesterday was whether Dublin, having taken 17 years to capture the All-Ireland title again, can retain Sam Maguire in 2012? “There are three or four teams capable of doing it all the time. You need a break. If you get the break and you are good enough you can take it. The goals came at the right time for us this year.

“The success will bring them on a ton. This is a phenomenal young team. The mental part of the team is exceptionally strong. They have the potential to go and win another All-Ireland.”

Gilroy and Kilkenny hurling manager Brian Cody shared the September award but the overall prize went to Republic of Ireland soccer manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

Three other GAA managers were recognised in the 2011 monthly awards.

Connacht and Roscommon champions St Brigid’s manager Noel O’Brien took was recognised in February.

April went to Anthony Daly after the Dublin hurlers won the national league. Mayo’s capturing of the Connacht title and defeat of Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-final, albeit over the August bank holiday weekend, saw James Horan pick up the July award.

Meanwhile, Setanta Sports have announced the details of their first batch of live national leagues games they will broadcast for next year. It begins with a repeat of the 2011 All-Ireland final between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park on Saturday, February 4th.

Throw-in for the floodlit games will be at the new earlier time of 7pm to facilitate people travelling home afterwards. Setanta will be showing live games on both Setanta Ireland and Setanta One on Saturday nights. The live game on Setanta One will be shown again in full on Setanta Ireland at 9pm.

Finally, a motion from Dr Crokes to the Kerry County Board convention has requested the All-Ireland football final be brought forward to the first weekend in September to facilitate the local club championship which regularly spills into December.

They are also seeking extra-time in all championship matches bar the All-Ireland semi-finals and final.

Setanta Sports TV games– Saturday, February 4th: Dublin v Kerry, Down v Donegal; Saturday, February 11th: Mayo v Dublin, Kerry v Armagh; Saturday, February 25th: Cork v Waterford (Hurling), Limerick v Clare (Hurling): Saturday, March 3rd: Laois v Dublin, Meath v Kildare; Saturday, March 10th: Cork v Laois, Tyrone v Westmeath; Saturday, March 24th: Dublin v Donegal Armagh v Down.