John McIntyre has been appointed manager of the Offaly hurlers. His appointment was approved at last night's meeting of the county board.  Sean Moran, GAA Correspondent, reports.

Although the former Tipperary player's name had emerged as the likely choice, many were surprised at his willingness to return to a county that cut short his previous appointment after one championship and barely eight months.

"I don't think that was a major problem," said county PRO Pat Teehan. "There was no animosity at the time. His appointment was for a year but wasn't renewed."

A players' source commented: "It's not going to be an issue. There's hardly any players left that were playing back then. Ger Oakley, Colm Cassidy, maybe Gary Hanniffy and Brian Whelahan, if he stays, are the only ones."

McIntyre is a journalist now living in Galway. Since leaving Offaly in 1997, his only intercounty appointment until now, he has had success with Clarinbridge, winning the Galway title in 2001 and taking the club to the All-Ireland final which they lost to Birr.

Galway, meanwhile, will announce their choice of manager for the coming hurling season tonight. Current manager Conor Hayes is one of two candidates with Matt Murphy who has just led the county's minors to an All-Ireland championship.

The consensus is that Murphy will secure the votes of the sub-committee appointed to look into the matter and make a recommendation. Hayes himself recently acknowledged that he was the outsider in the race.

It is believed in Galway the sub-committee will vote by secret ballot so that no member is influenced by the views of another.

Like McIntyre in Offaly, Murphy has had bruising experiences in his previous time in charge of the county. Ironically for someone whose predecessor would be someone who led Galway to the National Hurling League last May, Murphy has twice been removed from the manager's position just months after winning the league, both in 1996 and 2000.

Murphy's proposed selectors are believed to be former players Michael Coleman, an All-Ireland winner and former All Star, and Tom Helebert.

There are only a few managerial vacancies to be filled around the country. Carlow are back to square one after Paul O'Kelly's decision to withdraw his name from consideration.

"We're treating it as a top priority," said county PRO Tommy Murphy, "but it's proving difficult."

An announcement is imminent in Dublin regarding the new football manager. Sligo will choose a successor to James Kearins as football manager next week.

Tipperary are reportedly keen on giving former Cork manager Larry Tompkins the county post after deciding last week not to reconsider Andy Shortall who resigned during the summer in a controversy over the scheduling of club hurling fixture.

Munster Council chairman Seán Fogarty has called for improved discipline on the GAA's playing fields. He made the comments as guest of honour at the Limerick City Board's 2004 All Star banquet.

"The question of discipline was highlighted in a recent court case. If players are put off during a game they should not appear before county board meetings pleading for clemency. I say let them take their punishment. The rules simply have to be applied."

He said that in a recent All-Ireland minor football championship game that one of the most promising players on the Kerry team won possession of the ball on nine occasions, and had his jersey pulled eight times.

"There is something very wrong when that is allowed to happen and we will just have to address it. What message are we sending out to young players?"