Boland named Dublin U21 hurling manager

Conor McKeon

SHAY BOLAND is the new Dublin U21 hurling manager after he was ratified as John Henderson's replacement in the role last night.

Boland managed the Dublin minors to successive All-Ireland finals, losing this year's decider to Tipperary in a replay, and indicated in the aftermath of that defeat that he would take a break from management.

Former Kilkenny star Henderson spent just a single season with the U21s, a disappointing year in which the Leinster champions fell at the first hurdle to Laois in Portlaoise.

Boland will have the best of the 2011 and 2012 minor crops to choose from next year, although one of those, Ciarán Kilkenny, has moved to Australian Rules team Hawthorn, where he was yesterday given the number 45 shirt.

Dublin face Carlow in the U21 opener next year and, should they progress, would avoid Kilkenny until the Leinster final.

Elsewhere, the Dublin senior football championship will revert to a straight knock-out format for 2013 after the county's CCC fixture plan was adopted in Parnell Park on Monday night. It means there will be no back door for any of the first round losers, who will instead enter the 'B' Championship. The draw will also be seeded next season.

Dublin chairman Andy Kettle, meanwhile, has indicated that the county will back the majority of the Football Review Committee proposals when they are put before Congress next April.

Kettle insisted he would consult with Gavin, U21 manager Dessie Farrell and minor boss Cyril Kevlihan before deciding which of the motions to back, but added the final decision lay with the county board.