Down on lookout for new manager
The Down County Board are on the look out for a new senior and Under-21 football manager after Paddy O'Rourke's failure to be re-appointed last night.
The former All-Ireland winning captain was seeking a fifth term in charge - he took over the highly successful Pete McGrath in 2002.
But at a meeting last night, the Down County Board voted in favour of appointing a new manager.
In a move sanctioned by the board, O'Rourke spoke before representatives of the Mourne county's clubs last night to tell them why he should stay on.
However, a less than satisfactory 2006 season, which saw Down's All-Ireland run end with a disappointing qualifier defeat to Sligo, cast the Burren native's future in some doubt and he lost the subsequent vote.
O'Rourke's former Down team mates James McCartan, Ross Carr and Mickey Linden could replace him as manager, while former Down hurling manager Frank Dawson, ex-Armagh boss Brian McAlinden and current St. Gall's supremo John Rafferty could also be headhunted.
McCartan, an All-Star forward in 1990 and 1994, would be a popular choice. He has guided Queen's University through to three successive Sigerson Cup finals and is currently in charge of Burren.
