Football

McEnaney met with Antrim officials

FORMER Monaghan and Meath manager Seamus McEnaney has met with Antrim officials - but it is understood the county board may opt for some home-grown talent in their search for a new manager.

It is believed McEnaney (right) outlined his plans for taking the Saffrons forward while the joint ticket of Gearoid Adams and Kevin Madden and former manager Liam 'Baker' Bradley are the other leading contenders for the position.

With the Antrim County Board expected to announce their long-awaited decision early next week all of the

candidates are facing a nervy weekend as officials mull over their options.

Antrim chief Jim Murray told The Irish News the board has already made up its mind on Frank Dawson's successor and will make an announcement early next week.

Gearoid Adams and Kevin Madden FORMER Saffrons team-mates Adams and Madden - Adams a hard-working half-back, Madden a talented forward whose career was cut short by illness - look the team most likely to take over from Frank Dawson.

Adams was part of Liam Bradley's backroom team and was expected to be promoted to the top job but the Antrim County Board opted for Dawson instead.

Despite the setback, his enthusiasm remains undimmed and the case he presents alongside Madden is a convincing one.

Since his enforced retirement from playing at the age of 29, Madden has become a successful GAA pundit and highly-rated coach and gained inter-county experience in the Derry dugout during Damien Cassidy's reign as Oak Leaf boss.

Liam Bradley

BRADLEY managed Antrim for four years, taking them to the Ulster final in his first season (2009) and up to Division Two of the National Football League.

He left at the end of the 2012 season claiming that a new voice was needed in the dressingroom and Frank Dawson took over.

Dawson's failure has cast a favourable light on 'Baker's' reign and now the Glenullin man wants to return - but not in partnership with his son Paddy.

The Derry Allstar had been linked to making a first foray in inter-county management at his father's side but has since said that was "not

Seamus McEnaney

'BANTY' has the most experience of the three contenders. As manager of his native Monaghan between 2004 and 2010 he reached the Ulster final twice.

After stepping down because he was asked to reapply for the position, he moved to Meath for two turbulent seasons at the helm.

He walked away from the Royals in August of last year after losing the Leinster SFC final to Dublin by three points and has been out of the inter-county scene since.