Coleman decides to call it a day

EAMON COLEMAN is to step down as manager of the Derry senior football team. Coleman informed the county board on Saturday evening of his intentions to call a halt to his time in charge.

In 1993 Coleman guided Derry to their greatest hour when they lifted the Sam Maguire Cup. County secretary Patsy Mulholland yesterday confirmed Coleman had tendered his resignation.

"The board are due to convene again on Wednesday week and obviously the issue of Eamon Coleman will be aired then," said Mulholland.

Coleman's future with the Oak Leafs had been in doubt following Derry's defeat by Donegal in the Ulster semi-final. Indeed Derry have had a fairly poor season overall, starting with a disastrous National League campaign.

This was Coleman's second stint as Derry boss, having taken over the reins from Brian Mullins in 1999.

Coleman's resignation could signal a clear-out at Derry with his backroom team likely to follow him out the door.

There is also talk that skipper Anthony Tohill may pack it in, and that Coleman's son Gary as well as Dermot Heaney may drop out of the county set-up. Coleman was twice named Bass Ulster GAA Writers personality of the year. He received the accolade last year and he also won in 1993 the year he managed Derry to the All-Ireland title.

Though no moves have been made to appoint a new manager, former intercounty star Damian Barton recently admitted he would relish the challenge of the Derry job if offered the chance.

However, the 1993 All-Ireland winner believes the county must accept that the Oak Leafs are "entering a massive transitional phase".

"I've not been asked but most people would be interested if the conditions were right. It's a massive job," said the current Ballinderry boss. "I don't know if I have the experience, but it's a very interesting prospect."

Whoever succeeds Eamon Coleman must be given the time and tools to do the job rightly, Barton says.

"It's time to rebuild. There's more than a good nucleus, but whether or not the rebuilding is done now it'll have to be done in three years' time. That's borne out by what has happened in Cavan, Donegal, Down, maybe even Tyrone.

"We're entering a massive transitional phase in Derry, needing an effective structured development squad to provide a conveyor belt of talent. Derry has an abundance of talent but you can only have 30 in the senior squad. You need to cater for those outside that, or you'll lose them."