O'Rourke's Down future in the balance
The Down County Board are to meet tomorrow night to debate the future of the county's senior and U21 football manager Paddy O'Rourke.
The 1991 All-Ireland-winning captain originally took over the reins from Pete McGrath and is seeking a fifth term in charge of the Mourne men.
O'Rourke's charges crashed out to Donegal in this year's Ulster championship and were surprise losers to Sligo in the first round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers.
They began the National League with three straight wins over Meath, Kildare and Wexford, but slumped away to finish fourth in Division 1B.
Last week's Board meeting, which was due to see O'Rourke's future up for discussion, was cancelled as Down involved in the Ulster U21 hurling final.
Tomorrow will see O'Rourke make his case to stay on as manager before representatives from every club in the county. The former Castleblayney Faughs boss will step down if 51% of the votes are against him.
Of his backroom staff for the 2006 season, only Sean Óg McAteer, the team spokesperson, has opted to stay on in his role.
