DUBS GO FOR GIL; All-Ireland winner Pat confirmed as new boss of Blues.

Byline: By ORLA BANNON

PAT Gilroy was last night unanimously voted new Dublin manager - and his first game in charge will be a glamour league tie at Croke Park with Tyrone.

Mirror Sport understands the attractive fixture on January 31 has been agreed by the GAA hierarchy and it promises to be a blockbuster start to former Blues star Gilroy's reign in the capital.

As expected the 38-year-old's St Vincent's clubmate and former Dublin boss Mickey Whelan has been named as a selector, although his role is likely to be more like a joint-manager. Dublin fans are still in shock over the appointment of someone with little managerial experience but their fears may be allayed by the return of the wily Whelan.

Interestingly, however, the appointment is only for a two-year term rather than the usual three the county board have given. Paul Nugent (Thomas Davis) and Paddy O'Donoghue (Kilmacud Crokes) have also been named as part of the back-room team.

Gilroy is due to meet the press in Parnell Park at noon when he will explain the dramatic events of the last few days.

A member of Dublin's 1995 All-Ireland winning team, Gilroy was a rank outsider to succeed Paul Caffrey at the start of the week but with Whelan on his ticket, he was catapulted to the top of the list ahead of Mick Deegan, Paul Bealin and Mick Galvin who had all expressed their interest in the job.

CAPTION(S):

PEDIGREE Pat Gilroy was part of the 1995 Dublin team that beat Tyrone in the All-Ireland final