Former Dublin star Jack Sheedy appointed manager of Longford

Former Dublin All Star centrefielder Jack Sheedy has been appointed manager of Longford's footballers in succession to Glenn Ryan. He will also have charge of the county's under-21s in which role he will be assisted by former Longford and Fr Manning Gaels player Frank McNamee.

It is Sheedy’s first senior inter-county management position. He was involved with Mick Deegan’s management of the Dublin juniors who won an All-Ireland in 2008 and also managed Edenderry in Offaly and Moorefield in Kildare.

Meanwhile Mayo centrefielder and Ireland panellist Aidan O'Shea has expressed optimism that county manager James Horan will stay on for a fourth year.

“It is important that James stays involved because he has brought us on a huge amount. The backroom team he has put together is top class so obviously it would be a big blow if James leaves but all the soundings are good.

“He has got a young family and he will take time out. We have no major panic; we have a good bit of time now before the league starts. We won’t be doing the slog that some of the rest of the counties will have to do before the start of the league.”