Gerry Cooney was installed as the new Offaly senior football manager at a County Board meeting last night, with Ollie Baker taking over as the county’s hurling boss. Cooney, who was part of Meath’s All-Ireland-winning panels in 1987 and 1988, replaces Tom Cribbin who stepped down after the Faithfuls’ qualifier defeat to Limerick in July.

He received unanimous approval buy only after a heated debate. There was a statement from Stephen Darby who was originally interviewed for the position. Darby, who withdrew from the race along with Jack Sheedy, spoke of his disappointment with how he had been treated during the process.

Then there was a proposal from a Tullamore delegate that Cooney not be appointed, but he later withdrew his objection and the former Meath Under-21 manager had his appointment rubberstamped. Cooney is originally from Tullamore and knows the county scene having been a selector under Kevin Kilmurray when Offaly qualified for the 2006 Leinster SFC decider.

Meanwhile, former All-Star midfielder Ollie Baker has succeeded Joe Dooley as the new Offaly senior hurling manager. Mark Corrigan and Paudge Mulhare will be the 37-year-old’s selectors.

It is Baker’s first inter-county managerial appointment. A Garda Sergeant based in Tullamore, the Clare man has previously worked with Westmeath and Antrim and been a Clare selector as part of Mike McNamara’s management team.