Crossmaglen Rangers manager Joe Kernan last night denied he has been approached about taking over as the Louth senior football manager.
Kernan, who guided Cross to the AIB All-Ireland club championship title in March, is believed to be one of five names currently under consideration by the five-man committee set up to appoint a manager.
He previously had a short stint as Armagh manager aswell as winning the top prize in club management, confirmed last night that he has not been officially approached by anybody.
However, he did not rule out the possibility of taking the job if asked: “Obviously you have to look at every situation when it arises and if an offer came up I’d have to look at it,
“People are talking about it (the job) alright but I have not been officially approached.”
Kernan admitted that in many people’s eyes the next logical step for him would be into county management, but said he was committed to Cross for another year.
“Hopefully we can win another Armagh championship and go on to try and win back-to-back AllIreland titles and that’s really all I’m worried about at the moment.”
Paul Kenny, who has been the Louth manager for the past three years, and former Derry boss Eamonn Coleman are also thought to be on the list.
Kenny’s contract expired with the defeat against Offaly in the Leinster semi-final three weeks ago.
After the committee met on Tuesday night they released a statement saying that “in fairness to all those concerned, we are not prepared to release the names of the nominations or make any further comment at this time”.
DERRY’S hurling fraternity celebrated heartily last night after the county’s U21 team shocked Antrim in a pulsating Ulster final replay at Slaughtneil, winning 0-22 to 1-16 after extra time.
Wing forward and free taker Dermot Doherty was the chief tormentor of the Saffrons. Doherty bagged a remarkable 16 points during 90 minutes of exhibition stuff.
The local lad hit the equalising point under tremendous pressure in the dying seconds of normal time to bring the contest into an extra 30 minutes.
Then with darkness falling Eoin Farren galvanised Derry’s hopes in added time with some strong running which unhinged the tiring Antrim defence.
Derry were boosted at the start by the presence of Sean Martin Lockhart.
The Banagher youngster, who also played on Derry’s All-Ireland winning U21 football team, was a rock at centre-half-back and made some vital interceptions and superb defensive clearances.
Goal-keeper Kieran Stevenson was another Derry hero.
The keeper made a number of superb catches when under great pressure throughout the contest and his clearances invariably found a Derry hand.
Derry: B McEldowney, G Brunton, M McGlade, P McCloskey, S Lockhart, P McKeague, M Conway, D Lockhart (0-1), D Doherty (0-16), R O’Hagan, E Farren (0-2), G Biggs (0-2), Darren Doherty (0-1), D McGrellis.
Subs: K Hinphey for Raymond O’Hagan (39 mins), P McCloskey for McGrellis (54 mins), D McGrellis for Hinphey (51 mins), E Murray for McGrellis (87 mins).
Antrim: B Mahoney, P McMullan (1-0), Ruari McNaughten, M Currie, S McGuinness, M Molloy (0-1), K Kelly, C Cunning, K McKay, C Hamill (0- 12), L Richmond, S Kelly, A Delargy, S McGarry, J Tosh (0-2).
Subs: Ryan McNaughten (0-1) for McGarry (21 mins), Kieran Stewart for McKay (64 mins). Referee: J Gribben (Down)
IT will be scant consolation to Derry City that the 0-2 defeat in no way reflected their performance in this Champions Cup qualifier against at Brandywell last night.
Two second-half goals from Maribor Teatanic has surely set up a second round tie with Turkish side Besiktas and ended Derry’s involvement in European competition for another season.
Although the Slovenian goal scorers may take the headlines back home, it was the performance of goalkeeper Simeunovic which paved the way for the win.
The goals came after Paca showed good pace down the line before crossing for Eidan to volley home from 10 yards and later Galser stroked home the second.
Several times and on vital occasions the Maribor Teatanic keeper saved his side with excellent stops to keep Derry at bay.
Derry travel to Slovenia for the second leg next Wednesday evening but must know themselves that the tie is now beyond them.
Derry City: Devine, Doherty, Brady, Hutton, Curran, Dykes, Mohan, Hegarty, Hargan, Beckett, Coyle.
Sub: Ryan Coyle for Brady (60 mins).
Maribor: Simeunovic, Starbal, Fribal, Balajic, Kek, Sarkezi, Brobne, Eidan, Paca, Fricelj, Galser.
Sub: Munishi for Brobne (66 mins).
Referee: Hans-Jurgen Webe
