JOE Brolly spoke words of praise for former Derry manager Eamonn Coleman, after Brian Mullins confirmed he would not be returning to manage Derry.
As expected, The Dubliner brought to an end his three-year term of management, without seeking reappointment, at a meeting with Derry officials this week.
While Brolly said he would be happy to “play for any Derry manager,” the Oak Leaf corner-forward recognised Eamonn Coleman as a front runner among nominations for the now vacant post.
Coleman is in line to make a return to senior football management in his native county, following the county board debacle in 1994 which brought to an end his contract, one year after guiding Derry to their first All-Ireland win.
Brolly experienced an indifferent season, scoring the winning goal in the Ulster Final and marking his return to Croke Park with a poor performance amid a Derry side in dire need of a new lease of life.
“I don’t think there is a magic wand which needs to be waved. There’s a feeling about that (Eamonn) Coleman’s presence would lift the team and the county. He has plenty of charisma, a positive attitude,” said Brolly.
“I think his one problem would be that if he did come back, people would expect him to win automatically.
“I suppose with the sentimental glow of him having won the All-Ireland with Derry, expectations would be very high.’’
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THIS year’s Derry Intermediate football championship final will be an all-north Derry affair between Faughanvale and Claudy, both of whom won their semi-final replays.
Claudy built up a 0-9 to 0-5 interval lead against Ballymaguigan but, with wind advantage, the Treas drew level early in the second half with a Conleth Young goal and a Paul Hinphy point.
However 0-9 from Thomas L White and 0-3 from Martin White powered Claudy to the decider.
Paul Hinphy scored 0-7 for the Treas. Faughanvale led Desertmartin 1-4 to 0-5 at half time, Adrian Creane scoring the goal.
Martins had a player sent off after 15 minutes and went down 1-8 to 0-9.
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GRANEMORE lifted their third Armagh junior title at windswept Athletic Grounds last Sunday beating Lissummon 1-8 to 0- 7.
The goal from top marksman Paul O’Connor came in injury time. Assisted by a strong breeze Granemore led 0-7 to 0-2 at the break but with eight minutes remaining Noel McElvanna levelled the match for Lissummon and they looked like taking their first ever championship.
It wasn’t to be. Granemore’s greater wealth of experience won the day in a tense finish.
Paul O’Connor gave the Mid Armagh side the lead with two minutes left – a point the free – their first score in the half. He followed this up with an opportunist goal.
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HIS throat was sore, he was all stuffed up and his legs felt like lead. But beware the sick golfer, the saying goes, and Tyrone’s Darren Clarke proved it with a five under par 67 in the opening round of the One 2 One British Masters at the Forest of Arden, near Coventry yesterday.
Clarke, a mere £5,500 behind Lee Westwood at the top of Europe’s Order of Merit with only four more events to go after this weekend, started feeling ill on Tuesday.
Yet, with a £125,000 first prize up for grabs, he gave no thought to withdrawing and the decision looks a good one.
