OFFALY’S TURBULENT search for a new senior football manager finally came to an end last night, more than three months after it began.
Former Meath U21 boss Gerry Cooney was unanimously approved by a meeting of the county board, bringing an end to a process which has dragged on since Tom Cribbin’s departure in June.
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The Tullamore native had initially been tipped as the front-runner for the job, but needed to be coaxed back to the table by the board after he withdrew in frustration two weeks ago.
Cooney will be joined by Paddy Carr and James Stewart as part of his backroom team.
But Carbury manager Stephen Darby, another of the rumoured candidates, told the meeting that he would not apply for the job again after being snubbed this time around, Midlands 103FM reports.
Speaking to the station this morning, county board chairman Pat Teehan said that the seven-man selection committee had taken its time so as to find the man who was best for Offaly football.
“Stephen [Darby] is an honourable individual,” Teehan said. “If at any stage I offended him in any way then I apologise.
We carried our duties as committee to the best of our abilities, in the best interests of Offaly football, we’ll move forward now.
Offaly convince Cooney to take football job
OFFALY’S TURBULENT search for a new senior football manager finally came to an end last night, more than three months after it began.
Former Meath U21 boss Gerry Cooney was unanimously approved by a meeting of the county board, bringing an end to a process which has dragged on since Tom Cribbin’s departure in June.
The Tullamore native had initially been tipped as the front-runner for the job, but needed to be coaxed back to the table by the board after he withdrew in frustration two weeks ago.
Cooney will be joined by Paddy Carr and James Stewart as part of his backroom team.
But Carbury manager Stephen Darby, another of the rumoured candidates, told the meeting that he would not apply for the job again after being snubbed this time around, Midlands 103FM reports.
Speaking to the station this morning, county board chairman Pat Teehan said that the seven-man selection committee had taken its time so as to find the man who was best for Offaly football.
“Stephen [Darby] is an honourable individual,” Teehan said. “If at any stage I offended him in any way then I apologise.
As expected, Clare All-Star Ollie Baker was confirmed as the Faithful’s senior hurling manager with Paudge Mulhare and Mark Corrigan approved as his selectors.
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Delay Frustration Gerry Cooney Man Hunt Manager Offaly GAA Pat Teehan Stephen Darby