Nigel Dineen opts out after questioning Roscommon selection process

Former Roscommon U21 manager Nigel Dineen has ruled himself out of contention to be the county’s senior football manager in 2017, amid “strong reservations about the integrity” of the appointment.

Dineen put himself forward to replace the management duo of Fergal O’Donnell and Kevin McStay following Roscommon’s championship exit at the hands of Clare in July.

But he has now retracted his application, leaving McStay as the only candidate left for the post. Dineen called into question the past management structures in Roscommon, labelling them as “extremely damaging” in a statement released to radio station Shannonside.

“While I have gathered what I consider to be one of the best management teams that the county has ever seen, which includes four former county Roscommon players, of the highest calibre, who know what it’s like to wear the jersey and all share the same passion for Roscommon football as I do, I do not consider that this is the appropriate time to proceed on this journey.

“I would have no issue whatsoever with taking on any manager in the country with my expert management team, in a fair, open and transparent recruitment process.

“But if the playing-field is not level during the process itself what hope is there for a fair/successful outcome?

“I understand that the county boards’ hands may be tied, in some respects, with regard to the legacy of the previous management structure.

“It appears that similar influences are at play behind the scenes in Roscommon county football, which were clearly prevalent at the time of the demise of the previous O’Donnell/McStay joint management structure.

“I would like to wish the County Board, the incumbent management team and very especially the players every good wish and success in the coming season.”