List for Dublin job shortens as O'Neill rules himself out

The list of candidates likely to take over as new Dublin football manager was reduced yesterday with the news that Dr Pat O'Neill will not be going forward for the position.

It was widely anticipated that O'Neill would be in the running to the return to the position following the controversial removal of Tom Carr last Monday week.

Yesterday, however, he made it clear that his name wouldn't be going forward, nor had he even been approached about the job up to this point. "I gave it everything over a five-year period and would find it difficult to generate the enthusiasm to go back to a job which can be so demanding on several fronts," said O'Neill, who was speaking at yesterday's launch of the NCTC Coaches of the Year Awards.

O'Neill's profession as a highly regarded sports injury physician is a major reason behind his decision. The demands of that business have reached a new level compared to the previous time he was involved with Dublin, first as a selector for two years under Paddy Cullen in 1991-92, and then as manager between 1993 and '95, a period he concluded by leading Dublin to their first All-Ireland success in 12 years.

"I feel I gave it all I had in that time and having been away from the scene since then would not see myself going back. And in the three years that I was there I used to get up in the morning at six to start work at seven in order to be able to get out of the office by six and start training with the team.

"Of course, it was a relief in the end to win the All-Ireland and there was a degree of satisfaction, but a manager is part of a team in that his fellow selectors also play a big part. There is the usual hype when you win but when a team loses in a major final then the manager is the one who takes the flak and that's the way it is likely to remain."

By stepping out of the picture, the list of potential candidates now focuses on Brian Mullins, Val Andrews, Tommy Lyons and Paul Caffrey.

Both Mullins and Andrews have expressed their definite interest in the position, although Caffrey, the former manager with Na Fianna, also remains an outside bet for the job.

Nominations for the position are due to close on October 14th, and the Dublin management committee will announce their decision for county board approval on November 5th.

Meanwhile, the new Cork hurling and football selection teams include a number of former inter-county players.

Working with new hurling manager Bertie ╙g Murphy will be PJ Murphy of Erin's Own, former All-Ireland winning full back Pat McDonnell, and John Meyler, who hurled with Wexford and Cork. The fifth selector will be the nomination of new county champions Blackrock.

Joining Larry Tompkins for the new season will be Eamonn Ryan (UCC) and Mick O'Loughlin, both members of the team beaten by Meath in the 1967 All-Ireland final, and Tim Callaghan. The fifth selector will be the nominee from Nemo Rangers.