The 10 managerial vacancies in inter-county football and hurling

Leitrim and Westmeath recently filled their football and hurling roles. 

STEPPED DOWN: Derry manager Mickey Harte checks his watch near the end of the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Kerry. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

The vacancy ads are up, some of them a couple of months or more old at this stage.

More could yet follow but at present there are five in football and five in hurling with Leitrim and Westmeath having filled their football and hurling slots:

Football

Carlow – It will be interesting to see if the board go with one of their own. Turlough O’Brien was their last in 2020 and before him Cyril Hughes in 2000. Joe Murphy, an Éire Óg clubmate of O’Brien, should be seriously considered.

Derry – Ever since Mickey Harte stepped away, Rory Gallagher has been linked with returning to the role he left last year. Glen manager Malachy O’Rourke has also been mentioned as he was after last season. Armagh coach Conleith Gilligan’s stock continues to rise.

Kildare – It appears only a question of when Brian Flanagan is going to be named as Glenn Ryan’s replacement. Former Kerry star Paul Galvin, as the “Irish Examiner” reported last week, has been approached about being part of his coaching team.

Leitrim – Former Cavan manager Mickey Graham, who assisted Andy Moran this past season, was recommended as the new supremo on Bank Holiday Monday evening.

Longford – Graham was linked with Longford too given his success with Mullinalaghta. Perhaps there will be a role for recently retired Mickey Quinn as Longford go about filling the spot left by Paddy Christie.

Tipperary – The “Nenagh Guardian” reported last week that former goalkeeper Philly Ryan is expected to replace Paul Kelly. The word is Ryan is finalising his backroom team and an appointment is imminent.

Hurling (Liam MacCarthy and Joe McDonagh Cups)

Antrim – Davy Fitzgerald’s links with Antrim are strong but it’s not certain if he will succeed Darren Gleeson, who last month stepped down after five years at the helm. Antrim’s ambitions remain large and they are looking for a high-profile appointment.

Galway – Micheál Donoghue has been approached about returning to the role he left in 2019 but he has another year remaining on his term with Dublin. Fitzgerald has support from a number of clubs although the Galway executive have pointed towards a native appointment having had Kilkenny’s Henry Shefflin and Limerick man Shane O’Neill as managers.

Kerry – Work commitments meant Stephen Molumphy couldn’t remain on in charge and the search for his successor has been long. Molumphy’s selector Pat Bennett, John “Tweak” Griffin, Barry Hennessy and Francie O'Halloran are among the names thus far mentioned.

Laois – It’s nearly two months since Willie Maher bid adieu after two seasons in charge. They appear to be looking outside the county once more. Tipperary again provide potential managers in the likes of Gleeson and Eoin Kelly.

Waterford – Outgoing selector Peter Queally and Tipperary U20 coach Fintan O’Connor are among the early candidates for the position left by Fitzgerald. Cork’s previous U20 All-Ireland winning manager Ben O’Connor had been associated with the position but that chatter has softened.

Westmeath – They replaced Joe Fortune with ex-Meath manager Seoirse Bulfin, who was right-hand man to Fitzgerald in Clare, Waterford (part of first term) and Wexford.