Tohill due to be named as rules coach

Tristram

Irish Times report

THE GAA are expected to announce the appointment of Anthony Tohill as manager of Ireland’s international rules challenge next October at a media briefing in Croke Park tomorrow.
The former Derry All-Ireland winner captained Ireland on the successful 2001 tour to Australia, where Tohill led Brian McEniff’s team to a 2-0 series victory.

One of the great Irish international players, Tohill has since retirement been involved as a selector and assistant manager under outgoing coach Seán Boylan.

Highly regarded for his knowledge of the international game, the former All Star centrefielder, was recruited by AFL club Melbourne Demons after winning an All-Ireland minor medal with Derry in 1989.

He returned, however, in 1990 and immediately graduated to the county seniors under Eamonn Coleman, winning NFL and AllIreland medals in 1992 and ’93.

He would be the 10th international manager since the series was inaugurated 26 years ago. Only two of his predecessors remained unbeaten – Dublin’s Kevin Heffernan, who took charge for just one series in 1986, and Meath’s Colm O’Rourke, who served for two years 1998-99 and won both series.

There are no details of his back-room team, but it is believed that Meath’s Trevor Giles will be involved in some capacity.

Like Tohill a former All-Ireland winner, Giles was also a distinguished international player and captained his country in the 2000 series.

keane2097

Good choice imo.

dcr22B

Who cares, stupid hybrid game!

Can't stand this series after the farce that was Croke Park in 2006, I mean even I felt sorry for Graham Geraghty (proof if proof was needed that a Dub feeling sorry for him means something was very very wrong).

Royal Seahawk

Why wasn't Sean Boylan considered again. By all accounts he was still interested.

Tristram

Royal Seahawk wrote: »

Why wasn't Sean Boylan considered again. By all accounts he was still interested.

Indications indeed were that Boylan would be re-appointed. I don't know what happened in the mean time. I'm happy enough to see Tohill coming in myself. Has great experience. Delighted that Giles will be involved. Absolute legend. Privilege to see him play throughout the years.

rebel girl 15

Tristram wrote: »

Indications indeed were that Boylan would be re-appointed. I don't know what happened in the mean time. I'm happy enough to see Tohill coming in myself. Has great experience. Delighted that Giles will be involved. Absolute legend. Privilege to see him play throughout the years.

I thought Boylan would be reappointed, Tohill is a good choice though, experience with it

ShamoBuc

Think he is a very good choice. Bags of experience in the game and seems to know what he is talking about. not sure why Sean Boylan is not involved - too busy with work perhaps? It's a pity not to have him involved somewhere.

Tristram

irishtimes.com - Last Updated: Wednesday, March 31, 2010, 15:10
Tohill 'delighted and deeply honoured'

International Rules: The GAA has confirmed former Derry footballer and All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Tohill as the new International Rules manager. The 38-year-old will take charge for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Steeped in the tradition himself, having represented Ireland on eight occasions, Tohill will have fellow Rules veterans Kevin O’Brien, Séan Óg de Paor and Kerry legend Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston on his coaching team, as he looks to retain the Cormac McAnallen Trophy in October.

Fitness guru Mike McGurn, who is currently working with Armagh, has been named the team trainer.

Tohill was a selector for former manager Seán Boylan in 2006 and said today he will be picking players who are “bursting to play for their country”.

He added: "What an honour, and a privilege it is. It’s remarkable thing for me, and a massive, massive honour. I’ll be forever indebted to Christy for giving me this chance to be in charge of my country.

"I’m delighted to be here, and deeply honoured. Also delighted to have the three men here on board with me. I couldn’t be here without the Bomber. He has a great way around players, a great knowledge of this game. Because this is not Gaelic football. This is a different game. Sean Óg and Kevin as well, fresh faces and fresh ideas."

GAA president Christy Cooney said the decision to appoint Tohill was guided by the Derryman’s “standing and the standards he has set for himself and players alike”.

“I had a meeting with Anthony a while back and we discussed in great detail for a few hours how we were going to go about moving the International Rules into the direction we wanted to go, and we discussed who we waned on board.

“We came down to a final conclusion of the three men that are sitting in front of us here – Eoin Liston, who has been involved last year, Kevin O’Brien for Wicklow and Seán Óg de Paor (Galway).

“I would like to thank the three of them for agreeing, number one, to come aboard and I know they will do an outstanding job in managing the affairs of the international team for this year and next year in Australia."

Paraic Duffy, director general of the GAA, added: "In 2001, when we went to Australia under Brian McEniff as manager, Anthony was captain, and I was team manager.

"I saw first hand what his leadership qualities were. His understanding of the compromise game, and what he brings to it, makes him an excellent choice."

Ireland host Australia at Páirc na nGael, Limerick, on Saturday October 23rd and at Croke Park a week later.

No Giles

LeoB

Tohill thats the lad from Derry who has bags of personality;) Hope he brings more charachter to it than the Sunday game. I am not a huge fan of these games but at least lads can say I played for my Country.

I really feel for Mick O'Dwyer, snubbed again. Anyone got any theories as to why he has never been given a stint?. Have spoken to players from Kildare, Laois and Wicklow and they say he has a great way with people of cajoling lads.

Good to see Kevin O'Brien (Wicklow) in the mix

Agus

LeoB wrote: »

Tohill thats the lad from Derry who has bags of personality;) Hope he brings more charachter to it than the Sunday game. I am not a huge fan of these games but at least lads can say I played for my Country.

I really feel for Mick O'Dwyer, snubbed again. Anyone got any theories as to why he has never been given a stint?. Have spoken to players from Kildare, Laois and Wicklow and they say he has a great way with people of cajoling lads.

Good to see Kevin O'Brien (Wicklow) in the mix

Wicklow boss Mick O'Dwyer feels that his chance to manage Ireland in the International Rules series could be gone after again being snubbed for the role this year.

The Kerry legend has made no secret of his desire to manage his country in the past, but after receiving no contact from Croke Park this week he is starting to give up hope of ever having the opportunity.

"It''s something I've always said would have interested me if they contacted me," said O'Dwyer.

"But I haven't heard a thing. I'm not that surprised. They don't like me very much for some reason up in Croke Park and that seems to be about the size of it."

GAA president Christy Cooney is expected to announce the Irish management team next week for the series in October, with Derry All-Ireland winner Anthony Tohill widely tipped to be the man to succeed Sean Boylan in the post.

Speaking to Metro Herald, O'Dwyer, who has led Kerry to eight All-Ireland titles in the past, said that he doubts he will manage his country at this stage.

"It's more than likely I won't ever get the chance now to manage Ireland," the Kerry man lamented.

http://www.hoganstand.com/Kerry/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=126171