GAA: Rebels without a clause.

Byline: JACKIE CAHILL

CORK GAA chiefs are set to break with tradition and allow the county's next senior football manager to appoint his own selectors - paving the way for Billy Morgan's return. Mirrorsport can also reveal that former playing great Niall Cahalane was recently approached to take over from Larry Tompkins but turned down the offer due to family and business commitments. Tompkins looks set to run again after seven seasons at the helm but Nemo Rangers boss Morgan is now the firm favourite. Morgan, who led Cork to All-Ireland glory in 1989 and 1990, has previously expressed his opinion that the county coach should be allowed pick his own selectors. And if the situation changes, he'll be more than happy to return. Cork County Board chairman Jim Forbes confirmed yesterday that it will be discussed at next Tuesday's board meeting. The new policy has worked wonders with the Cork senior hurling team and the Rebel hurlers have reached an All-Ireland final with new boss Donal O'Grady given free rein. And now Cork chiefs hope that a similar change of direction with the footballers will also bear fruit. A meeting in July decided that the new Cork football supremo wouldn't enjoy the same privileges

as his hurling counterpart but following consultation with the players and a general shift in opinion, the situation has changed. "It will be discussed next Tuesday night," Forbes confirmed. "Any previous decision we've made can be reserved but it requires a two-thirds majority," he warned. One top Cork footballer welcomed the news and added: "The players held a meeting with the county board and told them we're not happy with the current situation. "And delegates have been up in arms recently - look at the success Donal O'Grady has had since the rule was changed. "They're a happy, united bunch and they're in an All-Ireland final. "There was no luck involved in it either - they're there on merit."

CAPTION(S):

MORGAN: Ready to return; TOMPKINS: Fight for job