Search for new boss begins

Search for new boss begins

30 July 2014

THE search has begun for a successor to James McCartan after the Down manager stepped down from his post.

McCartan’s departure wasn’t totally unexpected and many felt that he would step aside after the qualifiers exit to Kildare.

Despite having one year left in his tenure McCartan decided that another season at the helm wasn’t viable.

In a statement he said: “I have enjoyed the challenge. But it is time for a new voice and I wish the next manager well. He and the players who wear the red and black will always have my support.

“I wish to thank all those who featured in the Down jersey during the past five seasons and those great people who were part of the management and backroom team. They made my job much easier and all the more worthwhile.”

County chairman Seamus Walsh paid tribute to McCartan, saying he had given as much in management as he had as a player.

“He had an excellent working relationship with the team and the county officers and I want to extend my gratitude for what he has done and how he has performed as a manager and as an ambassador of the county.

The position of selectors Jerome Johnston and Eamon Burns is unclear. If both were to step aside then the U-21 post would also become vacant.

Speculation is now rife to who McCartan’s successor will be with Down county board chiefs eager to have the position filled “sooner rather than later”.

The top candidate at the moment is Kilcoo supremo Jim McCorry.

The Armagh native is relinquishing his post at the Magpies at the end of the season and thus would be available to take on the job.

“It’s not something that I have given any thought to, to be honest, because we are in full championship preparation mode with Kilcoo,” he said..

“I did not know that James was actually planning to stand down because last year a lot of people were saying that might be James’ last year.

But I just thought it was the same pattern and that he was taking a bit of a break and a well-deserved break, but it is not something that I have given any thought to at all.

“It really is a full-time job for anybody to do and James has worked very hard with that squad.

“He has brought in a lot of new players and, in my view, he has been very, very unlucky not to have got some major silverware during his tenure there.”

While McCorry seems to be coy about the position, Crossmaglen boss Tony McEntee has definitely ruled himself out of the running.

One possible candidate is Niall Moyna, who has worked with McCartan for the past two seasons and will know the set-up.

Appointing the DCU lecturer would ensure a smooth transition and continuity. A lot of other names have been bandied about.

2005 All Ireland minor winning manager Mark Turley is a prospective nominee and Mickey Linden’s experience at club level along with the U-21 set-up has marked him out as a potential contender. Others in the frame are Louth boss Aidan O’Rourke, Cathal Murray, Frank Dawson, Shane Mulholland and a wild card in Stephen Poacher.