THE search for the new Antrim senior hurling manager officially began on Monday, with the county seeking nominations from clubs.
County PRO Seán Fleming insisted there is “a blank canvas”, with no preconceived ideas about who should succeed Kevin Ryan after the conclusion of the Waterford native’s three seasons as boss.
Antrim haven’t had a native in charge of their senior side since 2009, when the joint ticket of former players Dominic McKinley and Terence McNaughton finished, also after three seasons. They were succeeded by Tipperary man `Dinny’ Cahill, back for a second spell with the Saffrons which lasted for two campaigns, then Cork’s Jerry Wallace had one term in charge for the 2012 season, before Ryan came on board.
“It is actually a blank canvas,” said Fleming.
“We are giving the clubs their say, let them put their names forward. It hasn’t been debated whether or not we’re looking at an Antrim man or an outsider. We’ve had outsiders this past number of years. Hopefully, an Antrim man’s name comes up, but that doesn’t mean we won’t consider an outsider. We will take the best man, that’s basically it.”
The process began at Monday night’s county committee meeting, Fleming explaining: “The clubs are going to be invited to put forward names of people for the post.
“Normally, what we do is we give them [the clubs] three or four weeks, I don’t know the exact dates. We’re not going to be rushing into it, just to make an appointment – we’ve got plenty of time. We’re not up and going again until January, but we would hope to have someone in place by November."
Antrim’s SHC quarter-finals take place this weekend, with champions Ruairí Óg, Cushendall in action on Sunday evening against Belfast side St John's, the same day as Dunloy take on Clooney Gaels of Ahoghill. First up, though, is a double-header at Corrigan Park on Saturday, with two country versus city clashes - Ballycastle taking on Rossa followed by favourites Loughgiel against St Gall’s.
Loughgiel boss PJ O’Mullan Jr has already indicated his interest in taking on the county job, although another Antrim man, Mickey Johnston, the current Down senior boss, has ruled himself out of the running.
Whoever succeeds Ryan as the Saffrons’ senior hurling manager will do so in Division 2A of the National Hurling League next year, after relegation from 1B, and in the second tier Christy Ring Cup after Antrim lost their place in the Leinster SHC by finishing bottom of the round robin qualifying series for the eastern provincial competition.
Meanwhile, Frank Fitzsimons was ratified for a further two seasons in charge as Antrim’s senior football manager after the usual annual review of his first campaign was conducted last week.
“He will be continuing,” confirmed Fleming, ahead of Monday night’s county committee meeting.
The Lámh Dhearg clubman took the Saffrons close to promotion from Division Four of the National Football League, losing out to rivals Offaly away from home in their last match of that campaign, having also lost - by just one point - away to the other promoted team, Longford.
In the Championship, Antrim lost twice to Fermanagh, both times in Brewster Park, in the Ulster SFC and the All-Ireland Qualifiers, although the exit only came after an uplifting comeback victory against Laois, yet again on their travels.
