Sport

O'Neill's return a huge boost for Tyrone

STEPHEN O'NEILL has rejoined the Tyrone senior football panel ahead of the All-Ireland final clash with Kerry

Thu Sept 04 2008 - 01:00

STEPHEN O'NEILL has rejoined the Tyrone senior football panel ahead of the All-Ireland final clash with Kerry. The return of the gifted Clann na nGael forward, who is expected at county training this evening, is a big boost for Tyrone. The 27-year-old two-time All Star winner has not played for Tyrone since last summer.

Meanwhile, Kilkenny hurling selector Michael Dempsey is expected to end a long-standing role in Brian Cody's backroom team after Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final against Waterford.

The Laois native could be included on the new Laois football management ticket should his brother Seán be selected as the man to succeed Liam Kearns. The Laois County Board are conducting interviews this week with Luke Dempsey, who recently stepped down as Longford manager, and Pat Roe, who recently left Offaly, also expected to be meeting the selection panel.

The Dempsey brothers remain the current favourites, with Seán playing a substantial role in a blossoming underage system in recent years, including the 2003 minor All-Ireland winning team, and Michael being a widely respected physical trainer.

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Seán Dempsey was also a selector under Kearns. Former Laois County Board chairman Dick Miller has been mentioned as a possible selector along with Sammy Byrne and Billy Delaney.

"We will be holding the interviews this week," said football board chairman Larry Doone. "There will be half a dozen lads to  interview and some of them could then run until Monday. We could have a decision towards the end of next week."

The GAA announced yesterday that Maurice Deegan from Laois will referee the All-Ireland football final between Kerry and Tyrone on September 21st.

Rory Hickey from Clare will take charge of the minor decider between Mayo and Tyrone. Meanwhile, Ross Carr has been granted another term in charge of the Down senior football team.

"I'm pleased to be back for an another year, and hopefully in 2009 we can build on what we achieved this year," said Carr.

Finally, Kilkenny have announced an unchanged team for Sunday's All-Ireland minor hurling final against Galway. There is just one positional change to the side which beat Tipperary in the semi-final, as Michael Moloney and Conor Fogarty switch wing positions in the half-back line.

KILKENNY(MH v Galway): E Murphy; D Healy, M Walsh, A Cuddihy; M Moloney, R Doyle, C Fogarty; C Kenny, J Gannon; J Brennan, W Walsh, R Hickey; P McCarthy, T Breen, M Gaffney.