Applications for the vacant position of Donegal senior football manager closed last night and there are a total of six men in the running to succeed Brian McIver. The applicants are Declan Bonner, John Joe Doherty, Michael Houston, Francie Martin, Jim McGuinness and Charlie Mulgrew. Doherty, who previously managed the Donegal Under-21s, is an early front runner for the role. He has had successful stints with both his own club Naomh Columba and Naomh Mhuire, whom he guided to a county junior title. Like Doherty, Bonner was a member of Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland SFC winning side. The Rosses man managed the county team from 1997 until 2000 and will draw considerable support. So too will McGuinness, the former inter-county star who guided Glenties to an historic county title in 2005. Houston and Martin have both served as selectors under former Donegal managers. Houston, an ex-boss of St Eunan's, was involved with the county side when Mickey Moran was in charge, while current Glenswilly manager Martin assisted during McIver's reign. Mulgrew was a front runner to replace McIver last year before the latter reapplied for the job and was reappointed. He is best known for his four-year term with Fermanagh, whom he led to an All-Ireland semi-final in 2004. A member of the St Eunan's club, Mulgrew was part of the Donegal management team when Bonner was at the helm. The selection panel to find the new Donegal manager was chosen at last night's meeting of the Donegal GAA Committee - chairman Sean Kelly, secretary Charlie O'Donnell and vice-chairman PJ McGowan will all be involved in selection process.

argael (Donegal) - Posts: 133 - 30/09/2008 16:29:44    111238

does anybody have any idea who the back room team will b with each candidate???

anfearmor (Donegal) - Posts: 188 - 30/09/2008 16:50:59    111276

It looks like Mulgrew will def get it then. Im not sure abouyt him but he is most experienced anme here. Mcguinness was glenties trainer in 2005 not manager as mentioned above. I heard from a insider that its Mulgrews if he wants it!

THE EXTRAMAN (Donegal) - Posts: 554 - 30/09/2008 17:34:36    111330

The Extraman:

How is Mulgrew the most experienced name in this list? Would have thought that Declan Bonner had at the very least the same experience, if not more!

Lifford Gael (Donegal) - Posts: 1925 - 30/09/2008 17:47:51    111354

Sorry lifford gael i forgot to put bonners name in post as i belive Mulgrew will get it. I would like to see Bonner get it as he has been closest to getting Donegal a ulster title in the past. I think it was 98 when the ref robbed us of that john duffy goal!

THE EXTRAMAN (Donegal) - Posts: 554 - 30/09/2008 18:05:01    111378

i hear it will be 4 senior members of exec to decide manager, with an outside Independant Consultant from a GAA backround but not from donegal who will have a vote......So an outsider may have the casting vote....So now we cant even pick our own manager

dllover (Donegal) - Posts: 263 - 30/09/2008 18:53:52    111401

Hardly a list to set the pulses racing. Declan Bonner is the man for me he did a good enough job the last time and i think he's got more talent to work with this time. I cant believe John Joe Doherty is the front runner, managing two second rate teams like naomh columba and naomh mhuire and an u-21 side should not put him in a position of front runner. Why can we not go for a good man whats wrong with approaching the likes of kernan, tommy carr, john maughan or paul mcgettigan

pauliewalnuts (Donegal) - Posts: 78 - 30/09/2008 20:03:05    111434

pauliewalnuts:

I don't really see the point of approaching Tommy Carr! Was he not appointed Cavan manager last week?

Lifford Gael (Donegal) - Posts: 1925 - 30/09/2008 21:25:04    111488

whos paul mc gettigan?

Murt (Donegal) - Posts: 252 - 30/09/2008 22:16:29    111524

Fair play to all 6 for having an interest in the job. They are interested so i cant knock them Personally I dont think any of them have the "thing" to manage Donegal. McIvor had a bit of it..But lacked making vital decisions. Here is my problem..if mcguiness gets it 5-6 glenties players be on the team. Mulgrew would have 6 from eunans...francie martin 6 from glenswill and glenfin..now fair play to them i suppose for looking after there own...but in reality its not the best thing for donegal football..thats where mcivor had no connections....david walsh was david walsh and not david walsh from N.Brid sure he is no good...If u get my meaning.. Maybe im wrong but going from past experience even with mceniff this was the scenario.. My Personal Choice of the 6..this is a tough one..But rating from 1-6 1 meaning my first choice 1 Bonner 2 Mulgrew 3 Jim McGuiness 4 JJ Doherty 5 Micheal Houston 6 Francie Martin But if any person from outside the county came in they would be my number one..just because they are an outsider and would have no loyalties to any club...

Norman (Donegal) - Posts: 382 - 30/09/2008 22:27:26    111529

why wont mchugh but is name in the hat. what he done in cavan was remarkable. surely he would like to manage his own county

tomaoo7 (Dublin) - Posts: 5896 - 01/10/2008 09:27:13    111640

I was at the Na Rossa v Mac Cumhaills game last weekend and Bonner made some poor decisions on the sideline. I know the quality of football was not great and maybe he has not got as much to choose from as other clubs but he was no great shakes on the sideline... Don't think it would be the best thing for Donegal to get him back if last week was anything to go by.

NCCailin (Donegal) - Posts: 13 - 01/10/2008 09:34:55    111648

jim mc guinness has to be clear favourite with michael mc geehan on board michael brings a wealth of experience to the table coach of mayo,roscommon,fermanagh,and limerick along with a successful year with eunans by far the fittest team in donegal maybe bring tony boyle in as well would be a strong management team

neutral (None) - Posts: 358 - 01/10/2008 14:22:33    111959

Yeah i think the list of candidates leaves a lot to be desired.
Mulgrew had one good year with Fermanagh, apart from that, they struggled the following 2 years and he has done nothing since apart from St Eunans reserves i think.

Bonner had his chance with Donegal a few years ago, 1 ulster final in 3 years and on the whole an unimpressive tenure although they were very unlucky in '98.

As for the other candidates they seem to be lacking in experience.

Personally, i would like to see McGuinness getting it out of the candidates listed althought i think it shows we were a bit hasty in getting rid of McIvor, even though he had he flaws as well.

mickeyjoe84 (Donegal) - Posts: 39 - 01/10/2008 16:57:31    112142

mickeyjoe84:

Did Bonner not bring us to a National League Final as well?

Lifford Gael (Donegal) - Posts: 1925 - 01/10/2008 20:28:06    112223

Ya cant knock Bonner 4 last Sunday... sure he has kept dem boys off d beer in na rossa an dat alone is not an easy job! It couldn't really be said he made bad decisions sure he didn;t really have many decisions to make.. at least he did the best with what he had. And to be honest his tactics are like that of Tommy Ryan from Termon.. together they could create an All-Ireland winning Donegal team.. again!

Jimwillfixit (Donegal) - Posts: 9 - 01/10/2008 20:36:52    112229

Lads, pauliewalnuts is right... hardly set the pulse racing... none of them would get my vote, not when there is so many other great managers out there (non donegalese)?? I'll probably get knocked for saying this but it's the truth fellas... no harm in looking in-county but we need a proven inter-county manager....

Mickey Collins (Donegal) - Posts: 48 - 02/10/2008 05:56:20    112358

We had a good manager and he was treated disgracefully by certain county board delegates. Very forward thinking gentlemen, I must say!!

Lifford Gael (Donegal) - Posts: 1925 - 02/10/2008 12:17:34    112549

lifford gael: i know tommy carr was appointed by cavan the point im tryin to make is we dont even approach or consider any of these guys. In my opinion there is only one man within the county that wud be a good appointment and thats mchugh he doesnt want it so the next best options should be considered and unfortunately the next best options are outside the county. I just hope whoever does get the post will start with a clean slate, try to bleed some new players into the squad and at the first sign of egos, bad attitudes or discipline problems turf them out of the squad no matter who they are. So that year after year we dont have to put up with unrest in the camp caused by a minority of idiots within the squad

pauliewalnuts (Donegal) - Posts: 78 - 02/10/2008 13:02:02    112602

well said Lifford Gael.

i hope those who are responsible for McIvors treatment are happy with themselves.

the man has won two national titles, one with Donegal.

what have the 6 won?? nothing, county junior title, county senior title, county intermediate title. brilliant.

well done to those who brought this about.

samDL (Donegal) - Posts: 36 - 02/10/2008 13:39:29    112631