Former player Donal Franks has been named as Birr's new hurling manager.

Franks, who won multiple Offaly, Leinster and All-Ireland honours with the club during a successful playing career, takes over from another former player, Paul Murphy, who was recently appointed manager Tipperary outfit Eire Og, Nenagh. For so long the dominant force in Offaly hurling under the guidance of Pat Joe Whelahan, Birr haven't lifted the Sean Robbins Cup since 2008 and the new manager will be hoping to put that right in 2012 after losing last year's decider to Leinster club champions Coolderry.

Franks, who managed Rahan-parish side Shamrocks and Westmeath kingpins Clonkill in 2010, saw off stiff competition from ex-county stars Declan Pilkington and Paddy Kirwan in a vote to land the job. Tweet

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