Former Tipperary star defender John Owens has been named as Waterford's new football manager. Owens succeeds John Kiely, who was controversially ousted from the post after five years. The recommendation from the executive that Owens, a member of the Moyle Rovers club, be appointed manager was ratified at Monday's county board meeting. A native of Co. Down, Owens' football career was played out in Down, Leitrim, New York and Tipperary. He was a member of the Tipperary minor team that reached the Centenary Year (1984) All-Ireland final, only to lose to Dublin. He had a long career with the Tipperary seniors and represented Munster in the Railway Cup in the mid-1990s. The anger over Kiely's sacking continues to grow with an official from his club, Kilrossanty, claiming the scenario was akin to "another Justin McCarthy job" in reference to the exit of the former hurling boss last year. He added: "Some of those who have taken the decision to get rid of John Kiely would never fill his boots when it comes to loyalty to Waterford football." Tweet

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