O'Donnell ratified as Roscommon's new manager
Fergal O'Donnell will be at the helm of the Roscommon senior footballers next season, after he was confirmed as their new manager at a special County Board meeting last night.
O'Donnell certainly has the pedigree to take the reins, having captained Roscommon to their last Connacht SFC title in 2001 and managed the Rossies' All-Ireland minor-winning side of 2006.
A Garda based in Boyle, he will take charge of the senior panel on a full-time basis following on from Michael Ryan's short tenure during this year's championship.
Roscommon have endured plenty of managerial turmoil in 2008. John Maughan's controversial resignation came at a bad time in March, with Paul Earley stepping in to assume caretaker control.
Earley insisted that his stint in the manager's hot seat would end on the completion of the National League and despite his best efforts, Roscommon failed to avoid relegation from Division 2.
Ryan, the Roscommon Under-21 boss, then took over the senior role for the summer.
And with former midfielder O'Donnell now in place, there is widespread belief amongst supporters and club and county officials that Roscommon have the right man to improve their footballing fortunes.
O'Donnell has yet to confirm his selectors but it is anticipated that Declan Hoare, Mark Dowd, Stephen Bohan and Ross Shannon, who all assisted him in the minor management team, could play some part in the new senior set-up.
