Waterford set to appoint Horgan

Kerry’s Martin Horgan is expected to be ratified as the new Waterford football manager later this month.

Horgan, a games development coach in the Kingdom, met with Déise officials earlier this week and has emerged as the preferred choice of the four-person selection committee.

Three-time All-Ireland winning Kerry SFC trainer Pat Flanagan was the sole nomination put forward by the clubs and had been approached by the committee — comprising of chairman Tom Cunningham, vice-chairman John O’Leary, secretary Tim O’Keeffe and treasurer Joe Cleary — before opting to join Brian Cuthbert’s Cork backroom team.

Cunningham revealed they were forced to reconsider a number of candidates following Flanagan’s decision and Horgan emerged as the frontrunner for the job, having previously managed Kerry divisional outfit St Kieran’s to the county semi-final in 2012.

The Waterford footballers had expressed their desire to see Niall Carew returned to the post following his resignation in early August, but Cunningham said this was a non-runner.

“Pat Flanagan was in our plans and since Pat opted for Cork we have been bringing a few people back in. We are reconsidering these men,” said the board chairman.

“A good number of people have declared their interest in the job and we have interviewed lads from inside and outside the county. We would hope to have a name for the next County Board meeting on Monday, October 13.”

Waterford failed to secure a single championship victory this summer, losing out to Clare in the replay of their Munster quarter-final before exiting the championship at the hands of Carlow.

Carew, meanwhile, has been linked with vacant Westmeath position. Paul Bealin’s successor is to be unveiled next week.

Sligo officials are still awaiting word from current boss Pat Flanagan as to whether he will continue in the role for a second year.