WITH KIERAN McGeeney committing to Kildare for at least another season and Joe Kernan having already ruled himself out of the race to succeed Peter McDonnell as Armagh football manager, Paul Grimley has become the natural front-runner for the position.
The county board meet tonight to finalise a committee that will be charged with finding the best candidate. The executive will be joined by a club representative and an “independent overseer” to ensure the process runs smoothly after two disappointing campaigns under McDonnell, who initially saw off Grimley for the position in 2007.
Grimley, a highly-respected coach, was Kernan’s assistant when they captured their only All-Ireland title in 2002 and went on to fill a similar role with Cavan before following McGeeney to Kildare as his assistant.
“Paul Grimley would certainly be considered if nominated,” said Armagh chairman Kevin Brady yesterday.
Unlike other county recruitment processes, a candidate cannot be nominated without agreeing to it in the first place.
“Nomination forms have been prepared and the signature of the nominee is required,” explained Brady.
“Joe Kernan has ruled himself out and Kieran McGeeney is not interested at this point in time as he wishes to fulfil his commitment to Kildare which has one year left.”
Grimley also has another season to run with the Kildare management team but after three successive stints as a number two to an intercounty manager the opportunity to take charge in his native province would be considered.
“There has been no approach and I certainly haven’t sought the job,” said Grimley.
“I remain very much part of the Kildare set-up. I’d say I was certainly interested at some stage but whether it is an option now is questionable.
“It is well known that I went for the job two years ago and didn’t get it. As far as I’m concerned it passed me by at that point.”
Westmeath and Down have also begun the process of recruiting new football managers for 2010 after the departure of Tomás Ó Flatharta and Ross Carr.
Meanwhile, Limerick hurling manager Justin McCarthy has cast a doubt over the availability of Niall Moran for Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Tipperary because of a broken finger that has yet to heal sufficiently.
Both teams are expected to be announced tomorrow.
Tickets for the Croke Park match will be readily available right up to throw-in (3.30pm) on Sunday with a significantly smaller crowd expected than the 61,962 that attended last Sunday’s semi-final.
Donegal footballer Karl Lacey and Waterford hurler John Mullane have been named the Opel GPA players of the month for July.
The Laois County Board last night ratified football manager Sean Dempsey for another year on a 20-6 vote.
