Football

In The Irish News - Sep 12 1996: Derry legend Anthony Tohill putting his county first

Derry legend Anthony Tohill was hoping to be fit to represent his county in the 1996-97 National Football League
Derry legend Anthony Tohill was hoping to be fit to represent his county in the 1996-97 National Football League Derry legend Anthony Tohill was hoping to be fit to represent his county in the 1996-97 National Football League

ANTHONY Tohill will be available for Derry's National League campaign during the autumn and winter.

The Swatragh man said yesterday it was his "intention to be available for selection" when Derry begin the defence of their NFL title next month.

The news would seem to scotch rumours that the Derry GAA star could be about to sign for Irish League soccer club Omagh.

Tohill revealed that he is slightly troubled by the knee injury which he picked up during his stint with League of Ireland outfit Derry City last year.

"This may require further treatment but I still would hope to be available for selection for Derry in the National League during the winter."

Tohill spoke with Omagh Town manager Roy McCreadie six weeks ago about a possible move to St Julian's Road.

"At that stage, I was undecided about what I was going to do in the coming months. According to reports, Roy McCreadie is going to talk to me this weekend but perhaps I should outline my intentions to him before saying anything publicly on the matter."

Tohill also spoke of the reasons why he has turned down a move to Australian Rules club, the Melbourne Demons.

The Swatragh man said a two-year stint Down Under would have made it "virtually impossible for me to come back and play gaelic football at the level that I want to play it at".

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DANNY Ball is the strong front-runner for the vacant Tyrone managerial position following the decision of Art McRory and Eugene McKenna to step down.

Tyrone sources suggested last night that the Errigal Ciaran club will not stand in the way of Ball making the step up to the inter-county position. Errigal Ciaran are due to play in the Tyrone county semi-finals this weekend.

Ball, who has an impeccable managerial CV, is unquestionably the people's choice to take over.

The Aughabrack man has guided Errigal Ciaran to Ulster Club titles and his managerial skills were also much in evidence when Tyrone won All-Ireland U21 titles in 1991 and '92.

The nucleus of the Tyrone senior side which has won back-to-back Ulster titles came from those U21 teams.

Art McRory's decision to effectively endorse Ball's candidature last night also added to the belief the Errigal Ciaran boss will be offered the job later this week.

McRory's opinions carry a lot of weight within Tyrone county board circles and his vote of approval for Ball could sway any doubters within the Red Hand hierarchy.

If Ball is appointed, it is thought he will bring in Anthony Gallagher as his assistant. Gallagher worked with Ball during the Errigal Ciaran manager's stint as county U21 boss.

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Cavan boss Martin McHugh is to step down from the Breffni helm for a brief period.

County PRO Barney Cully was at pains to point out yesterday that the Donegalman will definitely be back in the Cavan post before too long.

"He hasn't had any kind of a break for more than 12 months because of his involvement with the seniors and the county U21s as well. "And his wife recently had a baby so he wants to spend more time with his family. He hasn't had a holiday for more than two years. "He hasn't put an exact date on when he will be back but we hope it will be pretty soon."