IAN O'RIORDAN

ALL-IRELAND CLUB champions St Vincent's have begun the search for a new football manager after Mickey Whelan announced his decision to vacate the position. Whelan took over the job four years ago, having held various other roles in the club over 35 years, but reckoned now was the time to let go.

"I think it's time for a new voice," said Whelan yesterday. "I took over the under-21 team here four years ago, and many of them played against Nemo Rangers in the All-Ireland final on St Patrick's Day. That was a great way for me to finish off my management commitment to the club, and now it's time for another member of my backroom team to take over, or whoever may be the wish of the club.

"There are a number of very sound candidates, but it will be up to the executive committee to decide whom they feel will be the best qualified to do the job.

"I really enjoyed working with these players and they gave me everything and made my job that bit easier. But it's very satisfying to work with a group of young men that come good together in the end."

Whelan's expertise and authority proved a key influence on St Vincent's winning the club title last month; their victory over Nemo ended a 32-year gap for the club since their previous success in the competition, when Whelan was a leading member of the team.

"I suppose we had a bit of luck along the way to winning the Dublin, Leinster and All-Ireland titles, but you need that, not just in football but in every sport," he added.

"St Vincent's have a great tradition and I don't think we were winning that title out of turn. We had been knocking at the door for quite some time, but it's very difficult to win the Dublin title for a start and get you on the road for the other titles.

"But there is still plenty of youth and good footballers left in the panel for the new management to make a stout defence of the title next year."

Among those from Whelan's backroom team in the running to take over are Tommy Conroy, a former Dublin player, and Tony Diamond, whose son, Tiernan, played at centre forward in the All-Ireland final.

It has also been confirmed that St Vincent's midfielder, the Kerry-born Michael O'Shea, would not be playing with the club next year as he is returning to his home club in Castlegregory.

However, the club has picked up another top-class player in Mayo's Austin O'Malley, in fine form for his county of late, who has informed his county club Louisburg that he would be transferring to St Vincent's, where he will link up with fellow countymen wing back Pat Kelly and corner forward Brian Maloney.

Meanwhile, the Sigerson Cup has been further delayed, this time over a clash with the under-21 football championship.

While UUJ are already in the final, GMIT and Garda College were due to play their semi-final in Kiltoom next Tuesday, only for that to be postponed again as four GMIT players are involved in the Connacht Under-21 semi-final, set for next Wednesday.

The All-Ireland under-21 semi-finals are scheduled for April 19th, so it is extremely unlikely the Sigerson decider will take place on April 22nd.

Finding a date for the final will be further complicated by college exams in Jordanstown, which start in mid-April.

The Sigerson Cup has already been held up for several weeks because of appeals regarding the eligibility of Garda players.