O’Neill remains FAI’s first choice

THE FAI’s search for a new manager has intensified over the past few weeks but, while the association is refusing to comment on the individuals being canvassed, it has become clear that Martin O’Neill remains their chief target.

It’s understood that, behind the scenes, contact has now been made with the former Celtic boss, who stepped away from football at the end of last season to care for his wife Geraldine who has been battling cancer.

Understandably, given the sensitive nature of his situation, O’Neill has been unable to put any kind of timeframe on a possible return to football but, when he spoke to the press in Dublin in October, he didn’t definitively rule out an interest in the Irish manager’s job.