Dublin panellists Darren and Johnny Magee have endorsed the reappointment of Paul Caffrey and his management team for another term. At yesterday's launch of the 35th annual Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland sevens, the Magee brothers stated their belief that under the current set-up Dublin could finally win an All-Ireland title.
"Delighted," said Darren Magee. "The whole package, down to the kit man, Davy Hendricks. I'd say he puts in more than anyone else.
"It's great the lads are still there and that going into next year it's not fresh faces.
"At least we know from the Mayo game to the Kerry game, I suppose, we are five, six per cent off where we need to be. Next year, going well, who knows what will happen. Hopefully we'll have that five, six per cent in us."
There is of course the question whether veterans such as Jason Sherlock, Ciarán Whelan and Johnny Magee himself will remain for a fourth season under Caffrey.
"I don't think there have been any rash decisions made by the senior lads," said Johnny Magee. "I think with Pillar taking an extra year, there is an All-Ireland in this team, so I reckon there is a faith there within this team.
"I don't think any of the lads take anything for granted but there was an All-Ireland there to be won. But Kerry are a very good footballing team; you have to play at your best to beat them.
"We made crucial mistakes and they punished us badly for them. They just came down and stuck them over the bar."
The reappointment of Caffrey, Brian Talty and Dave Billings means the trio have been part of the Dublin set-up since Tommy Lyons became manager in 2001. So where can they find those additional percentage points?
"Maybe it's a little more experience on the big day," continued Johnny Magee. "Kerry have been there. The last five or 10 minutes (of the semi-final with Dublin) you could see their experience told from being there and winning All-Ireland semi-finals and finals.
"They kept Dublin lads away from the ball. It's a very hard thing to do and it's bred into them."
Meanwhile, Kerry's Declan O'Sullivan and Limerick's Andrew O'Shaughnessy were yesterday named the GPA players of the month for August.
The GAA has confirmed David Coldrick from Meath will referee the All-Ireland football final between Cork and Kerry on September 16th.
The Cork camogie manager John Cronin last night announced his team to play Wexford in next Sunday's All-Ireland final and has kept faith with the starting 15 that beat Tipperary last month in the semi-final.
Wexford, who also announced their team last night, have made one change. Bróna Furlong, an All-Ireland champion sprinter, gets the call after impressing in the semi-final when introduced in the second half. In a reshuffled Wexford side she will start at right half forward.
Aoife O'Connor, who played at midfield that day, is the player to lose out on a starting place.
CORK: A Murray; J O'Callaghan, C Foley, A O'Regan; R Buckley, M O'Connor, A Geary; B Corkery, G O'Connor (capt); U O'Donoghue, A Walsh, J O'Leary; E Dillon, O Cotter, S Burns. Subs: E Clifford, R Holland, S Hayes, J Duffy, R Moloney, S O'Donovan, E Watson, E Farrell, M O'Neill, E Burke.
WEXFORD: M D'Arcy; N Lambert, C O'Loughlin, A Nolan; Á Codd, M Leacy, (capt) D Codd; K Kelly, C Murphy; B Furlong, R M Breen, M O'Leary; Ú Leacy, M Hearne, U Jacob. Subs: H Jacob, B Curran, A O'Connor, L Holahan, K Parrock, C O'Connor, L Codd, S Nolan, B Holohan, C Atkinson.
Captain Kevin Hynes is a doubtful starter for Galway in next Sunday's All-Ireland under-21 hurling final against Dublin.
The centre forward suffered a calf injury that forced him to retire during extra-time in the 4-21 to 2-18 semi-final win over Cork.
Mickey Ned O'Sullivan confirmed last night he would remain in charge of Limerick's footballers for a third successive season in 2008. The former Kerry supremo will be assisted again by selectors Joe Reddington, Billy Ahern and Cian O'Neill, who is also physical trainer.
Monaghan manager Séamus McEnaney has been reappointed for a fourth season. The county board has given its full backing to McEnaney and his backroom team of selector Adrian Trappe and trainer Martin McElkennon.
