ALL-IRELAND WINNING DUBLIN football coach Jason Sherlock has downplayed the issue of Dublin’s enormous backroom team and highlighted the role that volunteers have played in their incredible run of success.

Sherlock, a former Dublin star forward, was among a 23-strong group of backroom team members photographed on the Croke Park pitch after their All-Ireland final replay win over Mayo.

A number of others, such as high performance manager Bryan Cullen, weren’t included so Jim Gavin’s entire Dublin management team could stretch to beyond 25 people.

It’s drawn inevitable commentary that Dublin enjoy an unfair advantage as the cash rich capital county with access to financial resources that their rivals can only dream of.

But Sherlock insisted that the majority of their backroom team are unpaid volunteers and noted generally the impact that ex-players have had on bringing through vital rookie talent from development squads.

“In relation to that picture, I think Jim’s father was in it and maybe two or three members of the county board but anyone that was in it are volunteers as far as I know, excluding Bryan Cullen,” said Sherlock.

“I don’t know how many volunteers are with other counties. All I know is that I was asked by Jim to see if I could assist and I’m happy to do it. I don’t know what’s going on elsewhere.

“I understand there is always going to be that debate about Dublin (and their finances) and all that but as far as I’m concerned it was the same situation when I played. We had the biggest population, the biggest resources but we didn’t have success.”

Sherlock reckons that Dublin are simply more organised these days, something that can be done without major financial investment.

“You’d have to look at that as a contributory factor,” continued the 1995 All-Ireland medallist. “From my point of view, I was asked to get involved in the Dublin development squads three years ago and it was a privilege to be asked and something I was delighted to do.

“I asked others that I would have played with to get involved and probably to a man they all agreed and were willing to give their time. It was great to see that they were willing to do that.

Sherlock celebrates with Paddy Andrews after the All-Ireland final.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

“We’re in grounds at the weekends with U-14s and U-15s, as volunteers. We have Davy Henry, Paul Griffin, Paul Casey, Declan Lally, Brendan O’Brien and then we’ve a few other guys as well.”

Dublin’s sponsorship deal with global insurance giants AIG is worth a reported EUR800,000 per annum while their list of ‘official partners’ runs into double figures.

But Sherlock insisted all of those ex-players are simply in it to give something back to the county and he said they’ve played an important role in the overall success.

“When I picked up the phone they were all happy to play their part and to contribute,” he said. “That’s got nothing to do with resources, they are people who are proud to have played with Dublin and want to give something back.”

Sherlock was recognised as one of the most creative and exciting forwards of his generation and is responsible for mentoring the current Dublin forwards.

Those forwards’ challenge has been more difficult in recent seasons as a result of consistently coming up against packed out defences. Former Dublin defender Ger Brennan claimed after the drawn All-Ireland final with Mayo that Dublin’s attacking edge has been blunted by being continuously forced to recycle and retain possession.

“We can’t control how a team sets up against us,” said Sherlock. “There’s a big emphasis on the defensive side of the game at the moment and that’s a challenge Dublin have had over the last number of years so there’s no point in doing something a certain way if you don’t think it’s going to have benefits.

“The stage where the players are at is that they have to decide themselves on the pitch what is the best way of reacting to something.

“As a coach, that’s all you can do, empower your players to deal with situations and full credit to the lads, they’ve been able to deal with what’s in front of them.”

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SECOND HALF GOALS from Thomas Hill and Ross Mulcahy ensured Moyle Rovers edged tonight’s Tipperary SFC quarter-final against Aherlow Gaels by a score of 2 – 11 to 0 – 13.

File photo: Ross Mulcahy in minor action for Tipp in 2013.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Rovers, playing without the Dubai-based Peter Acheson, had to come from behind as Aherlow finished the first period the stronger side to build a half-time lead of 0 – 5 to  0-9 having been level at five points apiece with 17 minutes on the clock.

Liam Boland signalled Moyle Rovers’ intent from the start of the second half with back-to-back scored before Hill hit the net on 44 minutes.

File photo: Thomas Hill in minor action for Tipp in 2009.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

That score gave Rovers the lead which they would not cough up. Though the score was reduced to the minimum by Aherlow until Mulcahy struck to open up a 2 – 8 to 0-10 advantage with just over 15 minutes remaining.

The victory sets up a clash with Kilsheelan-Kilcash in Sunday’s semi-final (throw-in 14.30). Reigning Munster champions Clonmel Commercials take on 2014 Tipp senior champions Loughmore-Castleiney in the other county semi-final.

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Peter O’Mahony and Rassie Erasmus speak to the media at UL.

Source: Niall Carson

• Munster’s Champions Cup game against Glasgow Warriors will go ahead as planned on Saturday.
• The province’s captain, Peter O’Mahony, was understandably emotional as he paid tribute to Anthony Foley in Limerick.
• Seamus ‘Banty‘ McEnaney is back in inter-county management after taking the reins of the Wexford footballers.
• Paddy Barnes has been added to the same New York card as Michael Conlan for St Patrick’s Day.
• Ulster are hopeful of having Ruan Pienaar fit for their must-win Champions Cup clash against Exeter this weekend.
• Connacht’s new Springbok out-half Marnitz Boshoff will arrive in Galway later this week.
• Louis Ludik has signed a new three-year deal with Ulster.
• Tomás O’Leary, meanwhile, has signed a short-term deal with Top 14 outfit Montpellier.

Dundalk players after training at Tallaght Stadium.

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Away

• Steve Hansen has made three changes for New Zealand‘s Test match against Australia on Saturday.
• Fenerhahce‘s plane had an emergency landing en route to Manchester for tomorrow’s Europa League tie with United.
• Anthony Joshua will defend his world heavyweight title on 10 December.
• All Black great Dan Carter insists he has never come across any banned substances in rugby.
• Former Man City CEO Garry Cook is among a number of high-profile staff let go by UFC.

The Best Thing We Shared

Liverpool teen Harry Wilson further enhanced his reputation as a star of the future with a delightful backheel against Manchester United’s U23s last night

Source: SpotlightTV/YouTube

On The Record

“I cannot confirm that he will play, but now he is fit and it is now time for him to go back to the levels that we know he can achieve.”

Jose Mourinho has issued a warning to Man United’s big-money signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan after the Armenian has endured a frustrating start to life at the club.

Where we were today

Murray Kinsella was down in Limerick as Rassie Erasmus and Peter O’Mahony bravely faced the media, while Ben Blake was at Tallaght for Dundalk’s pre-game press conference.

Dundalk’s Andy Boyle.

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

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The Fixture List

• Attention turns to the Europa League on Thursday with Dundalk continuing their campaign against Zenit at Tallaght Stadium (8.05pm).
• Man United are also in action as they host Fenerbahce (8.05pm) at Old Trafford while Southampton are in Milan to face Inter (6pm).

Showbiz, Baby!

Don’t turn your back on a powerful footballer who has three All-Irelands and two All-Stars to his name, as Rory O’Carroll showed a poor opponent in Auckland.

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SEAMUS ‘BANTY’ MCENANEY is back in inter-county football after agreeing a three-year term as Wexford manager.

McEnaney, the former Monaghan and Meath boss, takes over from David Power in charge of the Division 4 outfit.

“On foot of a recommendation from the FAC, agreement has been reached with Seamus McEnaney from Monaghan to assume the role of SF Manager for a 3 year period subject to review at end of year 2,” a statement from Wexford read.

“Considerable consultation has taken place with key panel members and the appointment will be warmly received by them and supporters generally.

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“We wish Seamus, who is better known as Banty to his friends, and the players well.”

McEnaney had been tipped to replace Terry Hyland in Cavan before that job went to Mattie McGleenan.

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DON’T TURN YOUR back on a powerful footballer who has three All-Irelands and two All-Stars to his name.

It’s a harsh lesson but one that was learned by a St Patrick’s Emerald City player in a match against former Dublin full-back Rory O’Carroll in Auckland over the weekend.

O’Carroll recently joined Marist Rangers GAA Club having decided to work and travel in New Zealand, and opt out of the Dubs’ All-Ireland title defence attempt, at the start of this year.

A man who is more accustomed to dealing with the physical challenges posed by Aidan O’Shea and Kieran Donaghy, he made his presence felt in this Auckland GAA tie, a 3-10 to 2-12 victory for the Rangers.

He may have been in the unfamiliar role of midfield but when you have the experience and athleticism of O’Carroll, the number on your back doesn’t matter a whole lot.

The Kilmacud Crokes clubman also lined out for John McBrides GAA club in Chicago over the summer months after a spell of travel in Latin America.

Crokes are, of course, also having to make do without O’Carroll’s services this season and would no doubt like to have the 26-year-old available for their Dublin SFC quarter-final clash against St Jude’s tonight.

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ZACH TUOHY LOOKS set to follow Pearce Hanley’s lead in completing an AFL move and ending a lengthy spell with his first club in the oval-ball game.

The Laois native, who was an unused substitute for Portlaoise in their county final defeat to Stradbally last weekend, is on the brink of signing for Geelong in a draft-pick trade deal.

Mayo man Hanley confirmed his move to Gold Coast Suns yesterday, ending his eight-year stint at the Brisbane Lions.

Tuohy recently requested a trade to Geelong after rejecting a contract offer from Carlton, the club he joined on an international rookie deal in 2010 before making his first-grade debut in 2011. And he has appears to have had his wish granted.

The half-back, who is renowned for his running game and his booming kick, has gone on to accumulate 120 appearances for the Blues which included a remarkable run of 90 consecutive games dating back to the start of the 2013 season.

Tuohy is expected to join the Cats who will forego a future first-round draft pick, while Carlton utility Billy Smedts is also expected to switch to Geelong as part of the deal.

Carlton, who still have Irish recruits Ciaran Byrne (Louth) and Ciaran Sheehan (Cork) on their books, had a disappointing season in 2016 which culminated in a 14th-place finish after 15 losses in their 22 games.

Sheehan’s AFL future remains uncertain having not played a first-grade game since 2014, only making his return from an 18-month injury absence with Carlton’s affiliate club, the Northern Blues, last May.

Byrne is another who has struggled with injuries — his 2015 season was ended by a hamstring issue days after making his debut, while his 2016 season was cruelly ended by a cruciate injury after he had earned rave reviews in a number of his 11 appearances.

Tuohy looks set to join former Kerry minor captain Mark O’Connor, who confirmed his move to the club yesterday, at Geelong for next season. Padraig Lucey, another Kerry native, was delisted by the club towards the end of last month after failing to make the breakthrough to the first grade.

Geelong have been one of the top teams in the AFL in recent seasons, having won three Grand Finals over the past 10 years, and were beaten by Sydney Swans in the Preliminary Finals (final four) last month.

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WAYNE MCNAMARA HAS called time on his inter-county career.

The 30-year-old defender confirmed his retirement this evening through a statement released by Limerick GAA.

McNamara won a Munster title with the Shannonsiders in 2013.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

The oldest member of TJ Ryan’s 2016 senior panel, McNamara has been involved with the setup since 2006, making his senior championship debut against Offaly in 2008.

The Adare clubman ends his inter-county career with one Munster title, a 2011 Division 1B national league medal and a Waterford Crystal Cup.

“I have decided it’s the right time to step away from inter county hurling,” said McNamara. “It was always my dream to play for Limerick and I’m very thankful I got to live that dream.

“I was very fortunate during my career to have played alongside and against some wonderful hurlers and sportsmen, many of whom will remain friends for life.

“Wearing the Limerick jersey, representing my club and family was always a cherished honour for me but no county player can perform without the support of others.”

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McNamara continued to thank his teammates, management and backroom teams, his club and other influences on his career in the statement released on the Limerick GAA Facebook page.

“To John Kiely and current Limerick management and players, I wish you the very best in the coming season” he concluded.

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Dundalk’s Stephen O’Donnell at the 2016 PFA Player of the Year Award nominations.

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

• Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny has admitted fixture congestion is taking its toll on his ‘exhausted’ players ahead of the club’s Europa League game against Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday. Meanwhile, there will be a full house at Tallaght Stadium after the Lilywhites announced the fixture is a sell-out.
• Former Kerry All-Ireland-winning minor Gaelic football captain Mark O’Connor has agreed to join AFL club Geelong on a two-year international rookie deal.
• Munster have shared their gratitude with the rugby community in the wake of Anthony Foley’s death as the province works towards Saturday’s Champions Cup fixture against Glasgow.
• Leinster fly-half Johnny Sexton faces a race against time to prove his fitness for his province’s Champions Cup visit to Montpellier on Sunday.
• The top two in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division, Dundalk and Cork City, dominate this year’s PFAI Team and Player of the Year shortlists.
• Mayo man Pearce Hanley has completed his move to the Gold Coast Suns from their Queensland AFL rivals the Brisbane Lions.
• The new stand at Tallaght Stadium, which is being funded by South Dublin County Council, will cost €1.9m plus VAT.

Away

Adrian Doherty in action for Manchester United.

Source: EMPICS Sport

• An uphill battle is expected at next year’s Tour de France after the course, which will feature climbs of the Vosges, Jura, Pyrenees, Centra Massif and Alps regions, was unveiled today.
• A book on former Manchester United and Northern Ireland football prodigy Adrian Doherty is one of seven titles on the shortlist for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.
• Uncapped Ospreys duo Sam Davies and Rory Thornton have been included in Wales’ 36-man squad for next month’s home internationals against Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa.
• At 51 years old boxing legend Bernard Hopkins insists he is ready to retire after his fight in December against Joe Smith.
• The UFC has denied claims by Georges St-Pierre that he is no longer under contract with the promotion.
• The Cleveland Indians overcame the loss of starting pitcher Trevor Bauer to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 last night and move to the brink of the World Series.

The Best Thing We Shared

Two young chancers managed to talk their way on to Team GB’s ‘Heroes Parade’ yesterday afternoon with their plastic medals and replica tracksuits.

On The Record

 I was absolutely knackered at half-time. I came in and got sick in the sinks at Croke Park. It raised eyebrows a little bit. It took a long time to get back up to that level.

Dublin forward Paul Mannion revealed the difficulties he faced in getting back up to speed earlier this season after spending the 2015 campaign in China and Chicago.

Where we were today

Ryan Bailey was at Leinster Rugby HQ for a press conference ahead of their Champions Cup visit to Montpellier on Sunday.

A solemn Mike Ross talks to the press at today’s press conference.

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

The Fixture List

• Tomorrow night is another busy one in the Champions League with eight fixtures down for decision. Arsenal host Ludogorets Razgrad in Group A while Pep Guardiola takes Manchester City to the familiar surroundings of the Nou Camp to face Barcelona in Group C. Celtic entertain Borussia Monchengladbach in the other Group C tie. Elsewhere, it’s Paris Saint-Germain v Basel; Dynamo Kiev v Benfica; Napoli v Besiktas; Bayern Munich v PSV Eindhoven and FC Rostov v Atletico Madrid (all 7.45pm).
• There are also two games tomorrow night in England’s Championship (both 7.45pm) — Cardiff v Sheffield Wednesday and Preston v Huddersfield.

Showbiz, Baby!

Now this is how you turn defence into attack…

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FORMER MINOR ALL-IRELAND-WINNING captain Mark O’Connor has joined AFL club Geelong.

O’Connor played on Kerry’s victorious underage sides in 2014 and 2015, captaining Jack O’Connor’s charges in the latter, and has chosen the Cats after a number of AFL sides expressed interest in the Dingle man.

“I’ve made the decision to go to Geelong,” O’Connor, who has signed an international two-year rookie contract, told Radio na Gaeltachta’s An Saol ó Dheas this morning.

“It’s a very quiet place, like Dingle, and I was very comfortable there. I was really taken with Geelong.

“When I went in there everyone was very friendly, and I felt at home there,” the 19-year-old midfielder added.

The news comes as a blow for Kerry as O’Connor had been widely tipped to progress to the Kingdom’s senior ranks in coming years.

O’Connor admitted Kerry management were happy for him but had hoped that he would stay in Ireland.

“They were very happy to hear about it on a personal level, but with their Kerry caps on they weren’t as happy,” he said.

“I thanked them for all their help. It was a bit mixed I suppose. They were very happy for me personally, but as managers and players they weren’t as happy. They didn’t put any pressure on me to stay, they said it was my own decision.”

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O’Connor will move to Geelong, a city about 50km south-west of Melbourne, in the next three or four weeks.

The Cats are one of the most successful clubs in the AFL and have won three Grand Finals over the last 10 years.

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MAYO NATIVE PEARCE Hanley has completed his AFL trade to Queensland rivals Gold Coast Suns, ending his eight-year spell at the Brisbane Lions.

Hanley, 27, has consistently been one of the best players for the struggling Lions in recent seasons, playing 129 first-grade games for the club.

Former DCU student Hanley joined the Lions as a rookie pick in 2008 before being upgraded to the senior list the following year.

The Ballaghaderreen man, whose brother Cian is still on the books at the Lions, moves 80km south down the Queensland coast to the Metricon Stadium.

Hanley’s deal is part of a three-way trade that also involves Port Adelaide, and sees the halfback/midfielder switch clubs and the three franchises swap draft picks.

“Our priority during the exchange period has been to add mature-aged talent that could make an immediate impact at our football club, and Pearce certainly fits that criteria,” Gold Coast football boss Marcus Ashcroft said.

Brisbane finished 17th of the 18 teams in the AFL ladder last season, while the Suns ended the campaign in 15th.

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