John Brennan was last night ratified as Derry's new football manager in succession to Damian Cassidy.

The Lavey native, who was overlooked for the job on a couple of occasions in the past, had been heavily tipped to fill the post this time around and club delegates had no hesitation in ratifying his appointment last night after the four-man committee had recommended him for the role.

Only Brennan and Peter Doherty met the committee, which comprised county board chairman John Keenan, secretary Liam Peoples, CCC chairman Michael McCracken and Management Committee chairman Eamon Kerlin, to discuss the role after the four other nominees - Liam Bradley, Damien Barton, Tony Scullion and Malachy O'Rourke - withdrew from the race.

Brennan boasts an impressive CV which has seen him win SFC titles in Derry, Antrim and Tyrone with a number of different clubs. The make-up of his backroom team has yet to be confirmed, but it's believed his nephew and 1993 Derry All-Ireland winning captain Henry Downey could be involved.

Brennan was in charge of the Lavey team which suffered a heartbreaking Derry SFC semi-final defeat to Ballinderry last Sunday, but no doubt his appointment as the Oak Leaf County's new boss will help him to get over that disappointment.

"I am pleased to have been selected as the manager of the Derry senior football team for the year 2011. I look forward to getting good support and I hope we can have a successful year," he said. Tweet

Most Read Stories