THE Antrim County Board could face a takeover bid at the 1998 convention election in just over seven weeks’ time.
Nomination papers were circulated this week and it is believed up to four top positions within the county board are under threat.
According to several sources, the posts of vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer and one other position are set to be contested at the Tullyglass Hotel in Ballymena on January 18.
The county board this summer landed a massive million pound plus grant for the improvement of Antrim’s premier sporting venue, Casement Park.
Work is scheduled to get under way in the new year and when complete, the Ulster Council could host Ulster senior football championship semi-finals there.
IIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOIIIIIIIIIII
MANCHESTER United boss Alex Ferguson described his side as “fantastic” after watching them dispatch Kosice with a clinical 3-0 win at Old Trafford last night.
The victory enhances United as the form team in the European Champions’ League – and Ferguson had nothing but praise for his players.
“They have done fantastic,” he said. “They are a credit to themselves. The perseverance and passing tonight even when things were not going very well were fantastic.”
Andy Cole gave United the lead in the first half, then a freak own goal by Lubomir Faktor six minutes from time put them two up. A curling shot from outside the area by Teddy Sheringham in injury-time sealed victory.
Ferguson added: “We took our time getting the second goal. I didn’t fear anything about this game but you want a second goal to reach the comfort zone.
“It was an own goal but you don’t care how they come. And it was a great goal by Teddy Sheringham.”
IIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOIIIIIIIIIII
TYRONE manager Danny Ball has stuck with the same 15 players who handsomely defeated Cavan a fortnight ago for the clash with Leinster champions Offaly at O’Neill Park, Dungannon on Sunday.
There had been injury worries over Jody Gormley (wrist) and Paul Devlin, but they have been named in an unchanged line-up. Both sides are unbeaten in section C, and a win would leave Tyrone on top over the Christmas break.
With the Errigal Ciaran players still not back with the county set-up, the onus in attack will fall once again on Brian McGuckin who scored nine points at Breffni Park.
Joe Cassidy and Paul O’Neill are available again and take their place among the substitutes.
IIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOIIIIIIIIIII
CAVAN interim manager Damian O’Reilly has decided to turn the clock back with the aim of putting more spice into the Ulster champions for Sunday’s crucial mission to Dublin.
O’Reilly has decided to recall Michael Fegan, who last featured for the Blues three years ago, and hand a league debut to U21 star Paul Brady.
Cavan have not won a competitive match for four months, not since their emotional Anglo-Celt Cup victory in July, and face the prospect of starting next season in Division Four.
A loss to All-Ireland kings Kerry in New York and defeats at Monaghan and comprehensively on home turf to Tyrone have left Cavan in dire straits.
IIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOIIIIIIIIIII
LENADOON teenager Conail Carmichael challenges tonight for a place in the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship finals when he faces the rugged David Conlon (Loughglynn) at the National Stadium in Dublin.
Carmichael, a product of Holy Trinity and Emerald boxing clubs, produced two super displays in the prelims last week.
First he beat Pia Duggan (Fermoy) 14-3 and then Dubliner Adam Whiston (Crumlin) on a tighter 14-10 computer verdict.
