Owens to manage Tipp footballers
Former selector John Owens has been unveiled as Tipperary's new senior footballer manager.
After the confirmation last week of Seamus McCarthy's decision to step down, Owens was quickly installed as the favourite for the vacant position.
The Moyle Rovers clubman, who spent the past two years as a selector, was officially ratified as Tipp's new boss at a meeting of the County Board in Thurles last night.
Owens' backroom staff will included outgoing selector Jim Healy from Loughmore-Castleiney, Ardfinnan's John Phelan and John Quinn of Eire Og Annacarty.
Tipperary had a poor 2006 season - they finished fourth in the National League's Division 2B and bowed out at the first hurdle in the Munster SFC to eventual All-Ireland champions Kerry.
They also lost to Longford in the All-Ireland qualifiers and failed to retain their Tommy Murphy Cup title, going down to Leitrim at the quarter-final stage.
Last night, Tipp County Board chairman John Costigan wished the new management team well and paid a warm tribute to the contributions of the outgoing McCarthy and his fellow selector Colm O'Flaherty.
The Tipp Board also confirmed their football management teams for the Junior, Under-21 and minor grades.
Conor O'Dwyer will continue in his role as manager of the Junior footballers in 2007. Outgoing minor manager Peter Creedon moves up to take charge of the Under-21 panel, while long serving goalkeeper Philly Ryan will be at the minors' helm.
