DONEGAL GAA have advertised for a part-time candidate to take over as their new Head of Academy.
Karl Lacey’s resignation from the post last February led to all of the coaches involved stepping away as well, leaving Donegal to effectively operate without an Academy for the whole of 2023.
The fallout from Lacey’s departure ultimately led to a Croke Park review into the structures and governance of operations in the county that revealed 14 “high risk” findings.
Significant changes were made to the top table at the county’s annual convention last month, with former Tánaiste Mary Coughlan taking over as the new chairperson.
It had been quietly hoped by many in Donegal that the boardroom changes would tempt Lacey to return but his decision to stay on in Kilcoo this year makes it highly unlikely.
The wide-ranging job description for the role, which is a 20-hours per week part-time position, includes a new brief of running a hurling academy alongside the football one.
The successful candidate must also hold a third level degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Sports Performance, Human Movement, Physical Education or a related area.
Among the candidates being touted locally for the role are Aaron Kyles, who helped initially launch the Academy alongside Lacey, and former Donegal minor manager Luke Barrett, who now has a background role in Jim McGuinness’ senior setup.
New MacCumhaills manager Gary Wilson, who won an Ulster U21 medal under McGuinness back in 2010, is another name in the fray.
Officials will be hopeful that the new Head of Academy can bring the coaches that walked away when Lacey left back into the fold in order to kick-start the process again.
The job description outlines that the successful candidate will report to Declan Bushell (Head of Games Development) and former All-Ireland winner Damian Diver, who was voted in as the new coaching officer at convention.
There’s no reference to the Head of Operations role, however, despite plans to advertise that position in the first quarter of 2024.