Search to begin for new manager

Editorial Department • Published 29 Jul 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Dom Corrigan.<<

With Malachy O'Rourke having stepped a side, the hunt for a new manager will begin shortly in the county. The County Management Committee will meet soon to finalise the format of their search and PRO Deirdre Donnelly stated that they will "not be rushed into a decision but will look to have it filled as soon as is possible."

Already a number of candidates have been linked with succeeding O'Rourke although as of yet no one has officially thrown their hat into the ring.

Fermanagh U21 manager Darren Chapman is one of those tipped as a possible successor to O'Rourke. The Newtownbutler man is currently in charge of Cavan club Mullahoran and it is thought that at present that is his sole focus although it is widely believed that he would be keen to step up to the senior job.

Chapman took Newtownbutler to championship success in 2007 and has been in charge of the county U21 side for the past two years.

However, he is not the only name on the rumour mill within the county with former manager Dom Corrigan and St. Pat's Sean Maguire thought to be possibly interested in the post.

Corrigan led Fermanagh to a National League semi-final and an All Ireland quarter-final in 2003 while he has also taken Carrickmore to a Tyrone senior championship title.

Maguire was at the helm of his home club St. Pat's when they secured a first ever senior championship title in 2008 and was also part of the Fermanagh management team in 2004 under Charlie Mulgrew. The Donagh man ran for the position on a joint ticket with Sid Mulrone after Mulgrew's resignation only to lose out to Malachy O'Rourke. If Maguire does decide to run, it is not clear whether it would be part of a joint venture that would also include Mulrone again.

Both Corrigan and Maguire though were keeping their cards close to their chests this week with Corrigan stating: "I am considering whether or not to let my name go forward," while Maguire commented: "It is not something I have given much thought to at this stage."

Other names to have been mentioned have included Peter McGinnity and Belcoo manager Raymie Gallagher but both are believed to be non-runners. McGinnity's job as the Games Development Officer rules him out of taking the post while Gallagher is only in his first year in management and is not thought to be interested in the post at this stage.

There may also be interest in the position from outside the county although whether the County Board are willing to look at an outsider is unknown.

It has been rumoured that former manager Charlie Mulgrew may be interested in returning to the post while another whisper has suggested that Tyrone legend Peter Canavan is a possible dark horse for the manager's job and he would certainly be someone who would demand the respect of everybody.

Another Tyrone man thought to be keen on the position is Noel McGinn. McGinn lead Dromore to the Tyrone senior championship title a couple of years ago.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 29 Jul 10

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