SCALLAN TO TAKE REINS OF HURLERS
Wexford man to be named new Wicklow boss
WEXFORD’S Eamonn Scallan is set to be named as Wicklow Senior hurling manager.
Scallan, who had managed Wexford at Minor and Under-21 level, put his name forward for the Garden county job and it appears he has held off the challenge of a number of well-established rivals.
Scallan’s expected appointment has come in unusual circumstances since Waterford man James Quirke, who formerly managed St. Patrick’s, seemed to be the front runner for the post.
However, there was a late dramatic swing that led to the former Wexford All-Ireland medalist being recommended for the job.
It appears there was a late surge towards Scallan after the players were asked for their view. The ratification was due to happen last Tuesday night at a fixtures forum, but an extra meeting was called for on Wednesday night by the selection committee in the Glenview Hotel and that’s where the plans appeared to change.
The selection committee comprised John Mitchell, Don Hyland, M.A. O’Neill, Seán Hayes (Hurling Officer), Alan Smullen (committee Chairman), and Eamonn Kearns (player representative).
They have now, it is believed, recommended that Scallan be named as the new manager. following ratification by club delegates.
Scallan will replace fellow county man, Seamus Murphy, who did not seek a further term owing to ill-health.
It is understood the current Ferns St. Aidan’s clubman had to hold off the challenge of Michael Neary who was in the mix as well.
Wicklow had cast their net wide seeking a replacement in a very thorough process, with approaches being made to former Wexford manager Liam Dunne, Bosco O’Neill, and Garry Laffan, from the Glynn-Barntown club in Wexford, who has guided Glenealy to two successive Senior hurling titles.
Despite the big names mentioned, it was Scallan, an All-Ireland medal winner with Wexford in 1996, who appears to be the favoured choice.
That team was captained of course by Martin Storey, who has also had a spell in charge of Wicklow hurlers.
Scallan, a native of Castletown, played his club hurling with Liam Mellows (Coolgreany) and Ferns St. Aidan’s, while he also played football for Castletown and Ferns St. Aidan’s.
He played inter-county hurling with his native county, with his successes apart from All-Ireland honours also including two Leinster Senior hurling titles.
He has wide experience as a manager both at inter-county and club level, having managed Wexford in the Minor and Under-21 grades, while he was also part of Colm Bonnar’s Wexford Senior hurling backroom team in 2009.
He has managed a number of clubs in Wexford, while he has also guided Mount Leinster Rangers (Carlow) and more recently Eire Og (Greystones).
Once Scallan had expressed his availability he was always going to figure in the shake-up. This will be his first appointment as manager at Senior inter-county level, with the forthcoming National League now being his main priority.