Caffrey gets fourth season at the helm

GAELIC GAMES:Paul Caffrey and his management team have been given the go-ahead for another year in charge of the Dublin senior footballers. The decision was taken at last night's meeting of the county board in Parnell Park.

This means that, despite late suggestions the decision on the reappointment would be deferred, the management that has taken Dublin to three successive Leinster titles has got the vote of confidence.

At last night's meeting the management committee denied there had been any hesitation about the reappointment and put the proposal to the meeting. It was unanimously taken by the delegates.

This makes Caffrey the first Dublin manager to serve four full seasons (Tom Carr took over when Mickey Whelan resigned during the 1997-1998 campaign) since Gerry McCaul nearly 20 years ago. Despite provincial success, a national breakthrough has proved elusive and the county has now gone the longest period in its history, 13 years, without reaching an All-Ireland final.

Meanwhile, in other managerial appointments, Frank Doherty, who led Galway's Caltra to the All-Ireland club football championship in 2004, has emerged as favourite to succeed Páidí Ó Sé as Clare senior football team manager. Doherty's appointment is expected to be confirmed at a Clare County Board meeting on September 11th and would be his first senior inter-county appointment.

Doherty had a spell with the Roscommon under-21s last year, but returned to club duty in Galway, where he is coach with last year's All-Ireland champions Salthill-Knocknacarra. He is to be assisted by two leading local figures, Ennistymon's Kieran Kelleher and James Hanrahan of Éire Óg - both members of the Clare team that shocked Kerry in the 1992 Munster senior final.

Kelleher served as a selector alongside Ó Sé during his season in charge and Hanrahan won a county title during a stint in charge of Éire Óg.

Tyrone panellist Paul Quinn has been released from hospital after collapsing during a club championship game at the weekend.

Quinn suffered a seizure in the dressingroom at half-time, while playing for Errigal Ciarán in the Tyrone SFC quarter-final against Donaghmore.

The game was abandoned after the stricken player was treated by doctors at the scene, before being taken to hospital by ambulance. He was detained overnight and is due to undergo further tests.

The tie, which had originally been scheduled for the previous week but was postponed because of the sudden death of a young man associated with the Donaghmore club, is to go ahead at the third attempt this weekend. But it is unlikely Quinn will play any part in the rescheduled game, which takes place under floodlights at Healy Park on Friday.

Finally, this year's GOAL challenge takes place at Nowlan Park tomorrow evening at 6.30pm.

The newly crowned All-Ireland champions Kilkenny will take on county and All-Ireland club champions Ballyhale Shamrocks in the traditional event to raise funds for the international humanitarian organisation.

Unfortunately, Henry Shefflin, who captained both club and county, is unavailable as he injured a knee on Sunday and awaits confirmation of the extent of the damage, which is suspected to be to the cruciate ligament.