McIntyre turns down Donegal

GAELIC GAMES/News: The Donegal County Board has been forced to resume the search for a new senior football manager after Michael Oliver McIntyre turned down an offer for the position at a specially convened meeting of the county executive.

An announcement on the new manager was expected in Ballybofey on Wednesday night, in tandem with the county's first official training session of the new season, and following the long search to find a replacement for Mickey Moran over the last few months.

Though McIntyre attended the meeting, his purpose was in fact to withdraw his name from consideration. Newly-elected chairman Brian McEniff tried to convince McIntrye to reconsider, but he stood by his decision.

"It's fair to say we're back to square one on this," admitted McEniff yesterday. "We are disappointed with his decision to withdraw, but he outlined his reasons and we have to accept them."

McIntyre had been one of the first candidates to openly express his interest in the position. He has had a long association with the county team, most recently as a member of Moran's backroom team, while also acting as trainer with Moran's predecessor, Declan Bonner.

It is known, however, that McEniff spoke with former Donegal player and former Cavan manager Martin McHugh on Tuesday in order to get a final word on his interest in the position. McHugh had previously stated that he wouldn't be considering the position, and he confirmed that stance to McEniff. It is now likely that yet another effort will be made to make him reconsider.

In the meantime, McEniff will act as temporary manager along with PJ McGowan. Both men are also members of the sub-committee responsible for finding a new manager.

Elsewhere, little debate was needed in the appointment of the two managers for next month's Vodafone All Star football tour to southern California. As expected, Armagh's Joe Kernan will take charge of the 2002 side, and Galway's John O'Mahony of the 2001 side, with the teams to play an exhibition game in San Diego on January 18th during the week-long tour.

For Kernan, who yesterday was also named Philips manager of the year, the appointment came as both an honour and source of great personal satisfaction.

"I was very lucky during my own playing career to be selected as an All Star and to tour in the United States in the 1970s as a player," he said. "So being named manager of an All Star team has great personal significance. Anyone who has ever experienced one of these tours knows just how valuable they are and I am delighted that in recent years the touring aspect of the All Stars has been revived. Many of my closest friends today are people I met on All Star tours."

O'Mahony previously toured as a manager when the football All Stars visited Dubai in 2000, but he was equally excited about departing on another tour.

"The great attraction of team management, particularly in the demanding times we now live in, is to work with really talented players and watch them progress and display their skills. Being manager of the All Stars is a special thrill because you are working with the elite players in the game."