Leahy handed two-year extension at Mayo helm

PETER LEAHY has been handed a two-year extension as Mayo ladies football boss which will see the Westmeath native remain at the helm until 2021.

It has been a turbulent season for Mayo with a walkout of 12 players – along with two members of the backroom team – citing “player welfare issues” derailing their championship preparations .

Eight of those players were from Carnacon – including ace attacker Cora Staunton – with the fallout resulting in a sorrowful saga which saw Carnacon being removed from Mayo’s league and championship before later being reinstated.

It is not yet known whether the players who left the squad will return and whether Staunton will resume her county career when she returns from her stint with AFLW side Greater Western Sydney Giants.

Meanwhile, former Wexford star Eamonn Scallan is set to be unveiled as the new Wicklow hurling boss as they look to build on a disappointing season and get their hands on Christy Ring Cup honours in 2019.

Tradition

Scallan keeps up the strong tradition of Wexford representation at the Wicklow hurling helm by succeeding Rathnure native Seamus Murphy in the role after he stepped down in recent weeks following his second year, citing ill health.

Murphy succeeded Martin Storey – Scallan’s former Model team-mate and captain when they secured a famous All-Ireland SHC triumph in 1996 – who departed the role after one year in charge.

Scallan was dismissed for a wild pull in their All-Ireland defeat of Limerick as they prevailed despite having 14 men for long periods and he brings plenty of experience to the Garden men, who will operate from Division 2B of the league.

The Castletown native – who played his club hurling with Liam Mellows and Ferns St Aidan’s – has had stints with the Wexford minor hurlers, Carlow side Mount Leinster Rangers and most recently Éire Óg Greystones.

Wicklow exited the race for the Christy Ring Cup this year at the semi-final stage when suffering a heavy defeat to London while they finished third in Division 2B.

Elsewhere, former Armagh star Ronan Clarke will manage Cavan Gaels next year after the 2002 All-Ireland winner replaced Jason O’Reilly, who joins Terry Hyland’s backroom team in Leitrim.

Former Armagh captain Ciaran McKeever is also set to take charge of the Orchard minor footballers, where he succeeds Paul McGrane.