Clare legend Ollie Baker is believed to be a contender for the vacant Offaly hurling manager's job.

Now living in Athlone and working in Tullamore as a garda sergeant, the 1995 and '97 All-Ireland winning midfielder has emerged a strong candidate to replace Joe Dooley in recent weeks. He had a brief spell as a coach with Westmeath before becoming a Clare selector during Mike McNamara's ill-fated reign as manager. He was involved as a selector with Antrim this year, but isn't expected to continue in that role, even if Dinny Cahill is reappointed manager.

Also rumoured to be in the frame are the Birr trio of Paddy Kirwan, Johnny Pilkington and Daithi Regan, St. Rynagh's Padraig Horan, the Tullamore pair Kevin Martin and Damian Fox, former Tipperary All-Ireland winning coach Eamon O'Shea and ex-Galway hurler Francis Forde, who was a coach under Joe Dooley this year and is highly thought of by the players.

Offaly have a long history of opting for 'outside' managers and this could stand to Baker, O'Shea and Forde if they are interested. Tweet

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