The Faith get their Maughan

JOHN MAUGHAN is to make a surprise return to senior inter-county football management having been recommended as the new Offaly manager.

Maughan’s name will be forwarded for ratification at the next county board meeting having been the choice of a committee made up of county board chairman Tommy Byrne, Vinny Claffey, Eddie Fleming and Pauric Pierce.

The Mayo man hasn’t managed at inter-county level for 10 years having resigned as Roscommon manager in 2008 but has been involved in club and third level management in the interim.

It had been rumoured that he was interested in a return to inter-county management and was believed to be strongly in the running for the Westmeath job, which is now thought likely to go to Niall Carew.

After a tumultuous season which saw Stephen Wallace removed as manager after the first round Championship loss to Wicklow before Paul Rouse took charge for the rest of the campaign, Offaly were expected to make a local appointment.

When Tullamore clubman Rouse wasn’t in a position to continue in the role, Rhode’s Paschal Kellaghan appeared to be the leading contender while another Tullamore man, Mark Plunkett, also threw his hat into the ring.

But it’s Maughan who will become the 10th different appointment to the Offaly job, including interim managers, since 2009.

The make-up of his backroom team is as yet unknown but it’s expected that Tommy Carr, Maughan’s former colleague in the army, will come on board.

IN CHARGE Paul Rouse looked after team this year