Football

Martin McKinless in pole position for Derry job

Ballinderry manager Martin McKinless is understood to be strongly placed to take over the Derry football reins
Ballinderry manager Martin McKinless is understood to be strongly placed to take over the Derry football reins Ballinderry manager Martin McKinless is understood to be strongly placed to take over the Derry football reins

FORMER Ballinderry manager Martin McKinless is the new frontrunner for the vacant Derry job, it is understood.

The passionate Loughshore native has won five Derry and one Ulster senior football championships with his native club over different spells stretching back to 2006. His record in club championship football was such that Ardboe’s defeat by Dromore in this year’s Tyrone SFC was his first loss in a county championship game. His only other defeats had come in Ulster and All-Ireland competitions.

It’s understood that, if given the job, McKinless’ backroom team will include former Armagh defender Enda McNulty. He will also bring in the vastly experienced Dessie Ryan in the same advisory role he has been performing for Ballinderry for so many years. 2002 All-Ireland winner McNulty has had a long association with Ryan.

McKinless’ long-term sidekick Joe Canavan will also be among the backroom team. Errigal Ciarán native Canavan was with McKinless for all his successes in Ballinderry, which culminated in winning the Ulster club title in 2013 before they stepped down after losing the All-Ireland semi-final to St Vincent’s.

Renowned strength and conditioning coach Mike McGurn, who this season worked with Antrim’s senior footballers but made his name with the Irish rugby squad, is also believed to be part of McKinless’ ticket.

It’s believed the list of candidates includes five names. The appointment committee had held earlier talks with an extended list of candidates, but formal interviews are understood to comprise those five.

Séamus McEnaney had been the early favourite and was spotted at club championship games in Owenbeg over the past week, including Thursday night’s replay between Slaughtneil and Magherafelt. His interview is believed to have taken place, but it’s understood he is unlikely to be the man to replace Brian McIver, who was this week appointed as the county’s new director of football.

Monaghan man McEnaney is believed to be the frontrunner for the also-vacant Down job, from which Jim McCorry resigned after only one season in charge.

Current Loup boss Peter Doherty, who has been in Derry backroom teams in the past and also managed Tyrone U21s, has also been interviewed.

Kilrea manager and 1993 All-Ireland winner Damian Barton will also be interviewed this week. He has been linked with the job on a number of occasions over the past decade.

It had been reported last week that former Glenullin manager Liam Bradley, whose Donegal side Malin were knocked out of the championship last weekend, was among the prime candidates. However, Bradley has insisted he is not interested in the job.

Another of the 1993 side, Enda Gormley, is understood to be interested in taking the hotseat, though whether the ex-Glen, Galbally and Carrickmore manager is the fifth interviewee remains to be seen.