Daniels joins Dunlavin as managerial vacancies start to fill up

THE annual Wicklow GAA club manager merry-go-round is showing signs of sorting itself out with top men appointed to the majority of clubs with the remaining few closing in on likely candidates.

The big news in the west of the county this week is that former Kilmacanogue boss Jonathan Daniels will take the reins at last year’s beaten Intermediate finalists Dunlavin. Daniels will look to continue the good work of Thomas Harney who led them to the Intermediate decider where they fell to Hollywood.

The majority of the Senior football clubs are either unchanged or have a gaffer in place. The big change is that beaten finalists have appointed Paddy O’Connor to replace Barry O’Donovan as the Blues bid to go one step further in 2018.

Ciaran Walshe takes control of Baltinglass while Annacurra have opted to stay in-house by giving the top job to club legend John Hynes.

Harry Murphy remains with Rathnew, Casey O’Brien will go again with St Patrick’s, while Bray Emmets are sticking with Brian O’Keeffe and Tony Denver.

The returning Hollywood have managed to hold on to the services of Mick Murray as they look to maintain their upward curve and Trevor Doyle goes again with Kiltegan.

Other appointments of note are that former Kildare footballer Tadhg Fennin has taken charge of Donard-the Glen for 2018 while former Éire Óg Greystones boss Alan Costello will look to help Tinahely bounce directly back from relegation.

No managers yet for Carnew Emmets in either hurling or football, nor for Éire Óg in the football while Bray’s search for a hurling boss is a work in progress. Michael Neary remains with St Pat’s while Garry Laffan will look to guide Glenealy to the defence of their title.

Next week we will have a club by club manager update.