Under pressure Moran keen to remain in hot-seat

MICKEY MORAN has indicated that he would like to continue on as Derry manager next season though his re-instalment is far from assured.

Though he was appointed for a three-year term, a decision on his re-appointment last year was handed to the clubs and, despite guiding Derry to an All-Ireland semi-final, he only survived by one vote.

With the team exiting in the qualifiers this year, that does not bode well for his chances of still being at the helm next season and former county players Damien Cassidy and Damien Barton are believed to be strong contenders to take over.

Asked if he was keen to stay on as manager, Moran replied; “We’re here (in a Rd 4 qualifier in Croke Park). We’re in Division One next year. Absolutely.

“I’m not going to crawl to anybody. I just don’t want people to assess this on a personal basis. I don’t care if people like me or dislike me. Three years ago nobody wanted this job.

“After the first year we made a lot of changes and slowly people are starting to realise that we have a good bunch of fellas. We’re not world-beaters yet but we’re on a hell of a graph upwards. We were one step away from an All-Ireland quarter-final again this year. There’s something in there to develop. They’re a young team.”