Sport

In the Irish News - Jan 15 1998: Liam Austin rings changes in Cavan

OPTING OUT...Cavan forward Adrian Lambe is a notable absentee from Liam Austin’s first squad 
OPTING OUT...Cavan forward Adrian Lambe is a notable absentee from Liam Austin’s first squad  OPTING OUT...Cavan forward Adrian Lambe is a notable absentee from Liam Austin’s first squad 

LIAM AUSTIN has made an immediate mark on Cavan football by recalling Aidan Connolly to the Ulster champions’ panel.

The new Cavan manager has also appointed ex-Monaghan player Hugo Clerkin as team trainer while Ballyhaise man Barry Tierney will join Michael Reilly – one of Martin McHugh’s backroom team – as a selector.

McHugh’s other selector Donal Donohue has opted not to stay on in the Breffni management team.

Austin, who was a surprise appointment to the Cavan managerial position a fortnight ago, met his new charges collectively for the first time on Monday evening.

The Down man conducted his first training session with the panel last night. Connolly, who was dropped by former manager Martin McHugh from the Cavan panel before last year’s Championship for breaches of discipline, was present at Monday’s gathering.

When in the mood, the 25-year-old Baileboro man is rated as one of the more accomplished centre halfbacks in the country.

Austin rates the player highly and he told the defender on Monday evening that the slate has been wiped clean on the events of last spring.

But while Connolly is back in the Breffni squad, midfielder Philip Smith and another Baileboro man Adrian Lamb have opted out for the time being.

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JAMES McCartan could be ruled out of the remainder of the National Football League after undergoing a shoulder operation.

The Down forward suffered a dislocated shoulder when he lined out for his Irish League soccer club, Glenavon, in a game against Linfield in October.

McCartan will have a progress report on the injury when he visits a specialist in early March.

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ST PAUL’S mentor Brian Coyle, has been appointed manager of the Antrim minor team, replacing Brian White, who resigned after the Ulster Final last summer.

Coyle has been associated with the county minors for 17 years. The Saffrons will play Monaghan in a challenge game on Saturday. South-west based players will be notified of travel arrangements by selector Dermot Graham.

The following players are asked to attend: S McCabe, P Murphy (Rossa); J McKeever, P Logan, G O’Boyle (Sean Stinsons); K McNally, N Doyle, J Johnston, B McCann (Cargin); J McCourt, M Clanahan, M Cushnahan (Glenavy); M Kelly, P Curran, K Anderson (St John’s); M Marrion, A Marrion (Moneyglass); R O’Loan (Glenravel); K McCloskey (Lamh Dhearg); K Shannon (St Paul’s); M McMullan (Tir na nOg).

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CHINA could become the pariahs of world sport after they were again exposed as systematic drug cheats yesterday.

Demands were made for them to be kicked out of the World Championships in Perth after four of their swimmers tested positive for an illegal substance.

The Chinese should also be forced to hand back the medals they had won in the championships as well as being excluded from the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, a top coach said.

And last night International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch warned that persistent cases of doping by Chinese athletes hurt China’s hopes of hosting the 2008 Olympics.

“They have the right to pursue a bid,” he said.

“But it is up to the IOC members what is acceptable. I think they would be in trouble. I think it’s very clear. Many would not be in favour.”