THE hunt is on for the next manager of the Down footballers after current boss, Jim McCorry stepped down from the position on Thursday night after just one season at the helm.
A statement released by the Down County Board said that it would like to put on record their thanks to McCorry and his backroom team “for their efforts and commitment shown to the Down Senior Footballers and their endeavours in taking Down from Division 2 back to Division 1 for next season.”
The statement also recorded that members of the Down Executive Committee had met with the former Kilcoo manager on Monday during which meeting he was assured of “100% support from both the Executive Committee and the clubs in Down, and that Down GAA would not be found wanting in their support for Jim and the Down Senior Footballers in 2016 and beyond.”
It is understood that McCorry had requested a meeting with the board some four weeks ago and that the delay in that meeting being held may not have calmed what was clearly an already tense situation between the parties.
McCorry's resignation prompted swift reaction on social media with current Down player, Caolan Mooney commenting: "Gutted to hear that jim mccorry has stepped down as @OfficialDownGAA manager... He did a great job the first year getting promotion."
McCorry enjoyed mixed fortunes in his maiden season in charge in the Mourne County. Although promotion back to the top tier of the National Football League was widely welcomed, there was also bitter disappointment at a championship qualifier exit to Wexford, having lost out by one point to Derry in their Ulster campaign.
Afterwards, the manager came in for heavy criticism for an interview with the Sunday Game during which he claimed that promotion to Division One was a “priority” for the year. Supporters of the Armagh native contended that this interview was heavily edited and the comment taken out of context.
McCorry, appointed for a three year term last September, also had to survive a vote on his future as boss during a county board meeting last month. It is understood that initially the Down county management committee recommended that McCorry be removed from the post on a 7-6 vote.
Then, in a subsequent county board meeting, Down clubs and the board voted 23-13 in favour of retaining his services. When the seven who voted against him at management committee level cast another seven against him, the result was that McCorry won the argument narrowly, 22-20. During the same meeting, Down minor manager, Shane Mulholland was removed from his post after two disappointing terms and the Ballyholland man also took to social media, saying: "Disgusted for Jim McCorry! He had no choice after that "vote" - what a sorry state of affairs!! #limbo #nosupport
Speculation will now mount as to who may replace McCorry. Obvious front runners may include the likes of former manager and dual All-Ireland winner, Pete McGrath, who has enjoyed such an encouraging season with Fermanagh; Seamus McEneaney, the former Monaghan and Meath manager, currently being mentioned as a possible successor to Brian McIver in Derry and Tony McEntee who interviewed for the post previously.
Jim McCorry was contacted by the Irish News last night but declined to comment on his resignation at this early stage.
