The Offaly County board has ratified the decision to appoint Padraig Horan as the manager of the Faithful under-21 hurlers for the coming year. Horan, who won an All-Ireland medal with Offaly in 1981, has a wealth of experience and knowledge in hurling and his appointment is seen as a major coup for the under-21 squad. Former Offaly and Birr hurler Declan Pilkington had been the manager for the past three years, but a new regime will oversee the under-21's fortunes this year. Horan will be joined on the management team by another former Offaly hurler Danny Owens and Coolderry's Pat McLoughney.