DUBLIN'S County Board have turned to former player Pat Gilroy and former manager Mickey Whelan to revive their All-Ireland football title hopes. Gilroy, a Sam Maguire winner as a substitute in 1995, was the surprise announcement as successor to Paul Caffrey late last week.

A managerial rookie, Gilroy will be joined by former Dubs boss Whelan as team trainer in a new look management team.

St. Vincent's stalwart Gilroy will work his team hard in the build-up to next summer's opening Leinster Championship clash against Meath.

"The simple premise is that you can probably address most things in life by one thing and that's hard work," said Gilroy at the press conference to announce his appointment.

"All I can guarantee the Dublin supporters is that the team that I have working with me will give this 100% and we will do everything possible to make this a success.

"Getting to an All-Ireland final is a key step for this team and once you're there obviously you want to try and win it and that's the reality of being involved with Dublin. That's where the barometer is set."

Gilroy is delighted to have former boss Whelan, who left the hot seat back in 1999, on board as his team trainer.

"We've had loads of talks about what we could do and the key part for me is that Mickey will bring a huge amount from the coaching aspect and whole physical preparation side," added Gilroy.

"I don't think there is anybody better qualified in the country and that's really been the focus of my discussion with Mickey is about getting that side of it right."

Already the new Dublin boss is on the lookout for young players to boost his squad ahead of the NFL campaign.

"One of our first priorities will be can we unearth any extra players because obviously there are guys who are coming to 19 or 20 that wouldn't have been there, and that would be one of the first things to do as well," said Gilroy.

Draws Announced

THE draws for the 2009 football and hurling championships have thrown up some intriguing matches, with the pick of the crop the renewal of the Dublin-Meath rivalry in the first round of the Leinster SFC

New Dubs boss Pat Gilroy will face a baptism of fire against the Royals -- still without a new manager -- at Croke Park next June.

Another highlight will see All-Ireland holders Tyrone take on Ulster champions Armagh in the quarterfinals of their provincial championships.

Down will meet Fermanagh in the preliminary rounds in Ulster, while down in Munster Kerry face the prospect of another clash with Cork in the semifinals.

Galway's introduction to the Leinster hurling championship will be against Laois, while Antrim will take on Dublin with All-Ireland champions Kilkenny straight through to the semifinals.

Justin McCarthy's new Limerick charges will face his old team Waterford in the Munster SHC, where Cork will play Tipperary in the quarterfinals with the winners meeting Clare in the semis.

The various championship draws are:

Munster Hurling Championship draw QF, Cork vs. Tipperary; SF, Waterford vs. Limerick, Clare vs. Cork or Tipperary.

Leinster Hurling Championship draw QF, Laois vs. Galway, Offaly vs. Wexford, Dublin vs. Antrim, Kilkenny bye into SF.

Connacht Football Championship draw QF, New York vs. Mayo, London vs. Galway, Roscommon vs. Leitrim, Sligo bye into SF. SF, London or Galway vs. Sligo, New York or Mayo vs. Roscommon or Leitrim.

Leinster Football Championship draw first round, Kildare vs. Offaly, Carlow vs. Louth, Longford vs. Wicklow. QFs, Kildare or Offaly vs. Wexford, Carlow or Louth vs. Laois, Longford or Wicklow vs. Westmeath, Meath vs. Dublin.

Munster Football Championship draw QF, Tipperary vs. Limerick, Waterford vs. Cork. SF, Tipperary or Limerick vs. Clare, Waterford or Cork vs. Kerry.

Ulster Football Championship draw preliminary round, Fermanagh vs. Down. QF, Fermanagh or Down vs. Cavan, Tyrone vs. Armagh, Derry vs. Monaghan, Donegal vs. Antrim.

Fitz Stays On

WATERFORD officials have confirmed that Clare legend Davy Fitzgerald will continue as manager of the All-Ireland hurling finalists on a two-year contract.

Fitzgerald guided the Deise to the McCarthy Cup final loss to Kilkenny as caretaker boss after Justin McCarthy's resignation in the summer.

Waterford will now meet McCarthy's new team Limerick in the Munster Championship next year.

"It will be a very hard game for Waterford," said Fitzgerald. "Limerick will be unhappy with the way they played this year and with Justin as manager they will have added motivation.

"Justin will certainly want to get a big performance out of them because he left Waterford in controversial circumstances. The Waterford-Limerick match is going to be huge and it will be a sell-out wherever it's played."

Loughnane Gone

GER Loughnane was effectively sacked as manager of the Galway hurling team at a county board meeting on Monday night when delegates voted him out of office by just two votes

Loughnane wanted to take up the option of a third year on a three-year contract, but the delegates voted by 28 votes to 26 not to renew his contract.

The Galway players issued a statement on the eve of the meeting denying reports that they wanted Loughnane out, but insiders believe his tenure was unpopular inside the dressingroom.

Portumna boss Jimmy Heverin and former Offaly manager Michael Bond are the favorites for the job.

GAA Shorts

THE Meath County Board have confirmed that they are no closer to naming a new football team manager, with Luke Dempsey and Eamonn O'Brien still considered the favorites for the job to succeed Colm Coyle. Dempsey has also been linked with his former Carlow charges . . .

JUSTIN McCarthy has secured a quick return to inter-county management after his appointment as the new manager of the Limerick hurling team was ratified by the county board . . .

KERRY stalwart Tommy Walsh looks certain to miss the Ireland-Australia Compromise Rules series after his club side Kerins O'Rahilly qualified for the Kerry county semi-final . . .

AS expected, Cork's Aisake O hAilpin has been released by the Carlton Aussie Rules side in Australia and looks certain to return home to Leeside . . .

VETERAN Tyrone football captain Brian Dooher looks certain to carry on playing when the Ulster side defend their All-Ireland title next season . . .

OUSTED Wexford hurling boss John Meyler has blamed player power after his shock dismissal from the job last week.

FORMER star player Damien Cassidy is the new manager of the Derry senior football squad.

Reid-Trap Feud?

IRELAND boss Giovanni Trapattoni has dismissed weekend reports of an alleged bust-up with Sunderland midfielder Andy Reid.

Trapattoni reacted after reports that he clashed with Reid in the team hotel on the night of the win over Georgia in Germany last night.

Reid was unlikely to make the team again for Wednesday night's match against Cyprus at Croke Park, but Trap denied any feud with his midfielder.

"I never have pre-judgments on any players. I get angry often when the players are on the pitch, and it goes away in five minutes," said Trapattoni.

"The most important thing is the players, but no, I don't have any problems with anybody. I choose in all honesty and I choose thinking about the interests of the team."

Asked if Reid was becoming frustrated by his failure to play yet under the new manager Trap added, "That is not a problem. The problem is each game we have is a very important game to qualify.

"I don't understand why Andy Reid is more important than other situations. We have been here four months and we have played with another team.

"I have said many, many times, we are very, very offensive. With two strikers, with McGeady, with Duff, with also Hunt, we are very, very offensive."

Soccer Shorts

THE Italian FA have banned their fans from traveling to away matches in the World Cup qualifiers after a small section of supporters caused trouble and gave fascist salutes during Saturday night's scoreless draw against Bulgaria in Sofia . . .

JASON Byrne scored twice as Bohemians secured the eircom League title with a 2-1 win at Drogheda United on Friday night. "This win is for the players, they are the ones who deserve it and not me," said manager Pat Fenlon afterwards . . .

CASH strapped Drogheda United are to apply to go into examinership to protect the club after chairman Vincent Hoey announced that they will go part-time next season . . .

A CROWD of 3,000 fans turned up to pay tribute to former Bohs captain Kevin Hunt in his testimonial game at Dalymount Park on Sunday . . .

FORMER Irish under-21 midfielder Sean Thornton's loan spell at Shrewsbury Town has been cut short . . .

SUNDERLAND'S Irish midfielder Graham Kavanagh has joined Carlisle United on loan.

Leinster Wins

LEINSTER were the Irish stars of the weekend as they opened their Heineken Cup campaign with an impressive 27-16 bonus point win away to bogey side Edinburgh on Saturday.

Munster had to rely on a late Ronan O'Gara penalty to beat French newcomers Montauban 19-17 at Thomond Park on Friday night, while Ulster always struggled in a 10-26 defeat at home to Stade Francais.