Sport

Two Donegal All-Ireland winners on panel to choose county's new football manager

Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Molloy (right) will sit on the interview panel to choose the next manager along with former county team-mate Martin McHugh
Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Molloy (right) will sit on the interview panel to choose the next manager along with former county team-mate Martin McHugh Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Molloy (right) will sit on the interview panel to choose the next manager along with former county team-mate Martin McHugh
By Gerry McLaughlin

Two of Donegal 's 1992 All-Ireland winners have been chosen to be part of an interview panel to select a senior football manager. 

All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Molloy and Martin McHugh were ratified at a county committee meeting on Monday night where it was revealed that there have been nine expressions of interest in the position.   

The selection of Molloy and McHugh is expected to have widespread support in the county as both former players are highly respected and especially for the huge role they played in bringing a first ever All-Ireland title to the county.

McHugh managed Cavan to an Ulster senior title in 1997.

And in a turbulent year, when GAA affairs are being run by an outside three- man Implementation Committee, the news that Molloy and McHugh will be seen as a vote of confidence in Donegal personnel being involved in important decisions that concern Donegal. 

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Martin McHugh was an All-Ireland winner with Donegal in 1992
Martin McHugh was an All-Ireland winner with Donegal in 1992 Martin McHugh was an All-Ireland winner with Donegal in 1992

Last week, ex-Donegal county manager Declan Bonner made a strong public call for Donegal people to run GAA in the county.   

In a statement issued on Monday night, Donegal County Board said it “ratified a committee to interview interested candidates for the position of county senior team manager. 

“The committee will include Fergus McGee, county chairman, Declan Martin, county secretary, Martin McHugh, Anthony Molloy and Anthony Doogan. 

“There have been nine expressions of interest in the position.” 

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The deadline for expressions of interest was last Friday following the resignation of county team manager Aidan O’Rourke earlier this month following a heavy defeat to Tyrone in the All-Ireland championship. 

O’Rourke succeeded Paddy Carr, who stepped down as manager before the end of the county's ultimately doomed Allianz Football League campaign.

Carr took over from Declan Bonner who won two Ulster titles with the county in 2018 and 2019 during his five- year tenure.