Gaelic Games Managerial news: Dublin are slowly closing in on a new senior football manager. Interviews with the final list of candidates have been scheduled for the coming days, and according to county board chairman John Bailey, none of them has yet been ruled "definitely in or out" of the running.

It's almost six weeks since Tommy Lyons announced his intention not to pursue a fourth year in charge. And since then one name has headed the list of likely successors - former Dublin player and captain Brian Mullins.

The Dublin County Board has confirmed Mullins has indicated his interest in the position, and his desire to get it. Several other former Dublin players, including goalkeeper John O'Leary, have backed Mullins and yet it seems his appointment is anything but a formality.

Bailey was understandably cautious about expanding on the outcome of the interview process, but he made it clear several names were certain to be carefully considered.

"We're definitely not talking about one or two people here," he said. "What I can say is that no one has been interviewed as of yet. And there are a lot of other candidates involved here than people might think. So don't rule out a surprise."

Among the other candidates known to be particularly enthusiastic about the position is Dave Billings, one of the three selectors with Lyons over the past three years and head of Gaelic games at UCD. Brian Talty, the former Dublin under-21 manager who last week failed in his bid for the position as Galway manager, has also been repeatedly linked with the position.

While Bailey insists Dublin won't be rushed into finalising the new appointment, a decision should be made before the end of the month. Part of the interview process will be determining what management "package" each candidate will bring, and whether or not the under-21 appointment would also be part of their plans - similar to what Lyons took on over the past three years.

The interviews are to be carried out by the four-man committee set up to find the new manager: Bailey, with county secretary John Costello, vice-chairman Gerry Harrington and football board delegate John McNicholas.

Derry, meanwhile, last night carried out interviews for their position of senior football manager - appointed on a yearly basis. Mickey Moran, the man in charge last season, originally faced opposition from three other candidates, but on the night only himself and John Brennan faced the county board. Brian McIvor and Liam Bradley, dropped out of contention.

While Moran would seem to have the advantage having led Derry to the All-Ireland semi-final, Brennan comes in loaded with strong credentials. He's won three different county titles with the clubs: firstly with his own club Lavey, then with Tyrone's Carrickmore, and later Antrim's Cargin. And he's brought another Derry club Slaughtneil into the county final, where they are set to face Bellaghy.

"Obviously John Brennan comes in with a very successful club record," said Derry press officer Gerry Donnelly. "And there's no telling what way this might go. But a decision is expected in a matter of days."

In hurling, Galway also examined the position of their senior hurling management last night. Two former managers, Mattie Murphy and Noel Lane, have been nominated for the position with Conor Hayes, who has held the position for the past two years. Murphy is said to be especially eager to return to the position, have this year led the county minors to an All-Ireland title, beating Kilkenny after a replay.

According to Galway hurling secretary Phelim Murphy, the main purpose of last night's meeting was to determine where the three candidates stand in terms of their commitment to the position, but that the actual appointment was unlikely to be confirmed until a later meeting.

In the meantime the Galway GAC will meet on Friday to decide what, if any, suspensions will be handed down to the Athenry club as a result of the brawl which broke out in their hurling quarter-final with Loughrea. The result of the game will stand, with Athenry due to face Gort in the semi-final.