GAELIC GAMES:A PEACE DEAL in the Donegal football management crisis could be hammered out this evening when Declan Bonner and Charlie Mulgrew meet the county executive to discuss the implications of their offer to take over as manager being withheld last week, writes Ian O'Riordan
In one of the ugliest episodes of a county management appointment, Bonner and Mulgrew effectively withdrew their candidacy last Friday when it emerged the county executive had withheld their names from going forward for ratification and instead allowed a fellow candidate, John Joe Doherty, to address the county board on why he should still be considered for the job.
Mulgrew and Bonner said they intended to "put a number of questions" to the board but have declined to comment on the possible outcome of this evening's meeting, beyond indicating they had not given up hope of taking over the Donegal job, as long as there were some changes at the county board executive level.
Doherty has since held discussions with the five-man selection committee appointed to find a successor to Brian McIvor, who - again in controversial circumstances - had already been told he was not wanted for another term.
The five-man committee comprises chairman Seán Kelly, secretary Charlie O'Donnell, treasurer Charlie Cannon, former manager PJ McGowan and former player Seán Ferriter.
Following that meeting with Doherty, however, the committee decided to arrange a further meeting with Bonner and Mulgrew.
It is now understood the county executive will take the essentials of this evening's meeting back to a specially convened meeting of the county committee, most likely next Monday.
Bonner had described the interview process for the job as "fundamentally flawed", and added "an awful lot of stuff will need to change over the next couple of days or couple of weeks but I don't think there is a great rush to appoint the new manager".
Last Friday, the Donegal footballers released a statement highlighting their disappointment with the entire process, and ending with a thinly veiled call for members of the county executive to resign:
"The players wish to make it clear that we have no issue with any of the candidates for the job, and we believe all hold valid credentials.
"However, in light of the breakdown of the appointment process, we would call on club delegates now to reappraise the position of a number of senior executives in the county board."
Weekend Fixtures
Saturday
Interprovincial Hurling Final - Leinster v Munster, Portlaoise, 6pm.
Interprovincial Football Final - Munster v Connacht, Portlaoise, 7.45pm.
Dublin SHC Final - Ballyboden St Enda's v Kilmacud Crokes, Parnell Park, 3.30pm.
Wexford SFC Final - Kilanerin v Gusserane O'Rahilly's, Wexford Park, 3pm.
Kerry SFC Semi-final Replay - Kerins O'Rahillys v South Kerry, Killarney, 3pm.
Camogie: All-Ireland Senior Semi-finals - O'Donovan Rossa (Antrim) v Ballyboden St Enda's (Dublin), Casement Park, 2.30pm; Drom and Inch (Tipperary) v Athenry (Galway), venue TBA.
Women's Football: Ulster Senior Final Replay - Donaghmoyne (Monaghan) v Moville (Donegal), 2.30pm, venue TBC
Sunday
Ulster Club SFC Quarter-finals - St Gall's (Antrim) v Cavan Gaels (Cavan), Casement Park, 2.30pm; Ballinderry (Derry) v Latton (Monaghan), Ballinascreen, 2.30pm; Clonoe (Tyrone) v St Eunan's (Donegal), Coalisland, 2.30pm.
Leinster Club SFC First Round - Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) v Celbridge (Kildare), Parnell Park, 3pm; Éire Óg (Carlow) v Kiltegan (Wicklow), Carlow, 2.30pm.
Leinster Club SHC Quarter-final - Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Rathdowney-Errill (Laois), Kilkenny, 3pm.
Munster Club SHC Quarter-final - Sarsfields (Cork) v Clonlara (Clare), Páirc UÍ Chaoimh, 2pm (live on TG4).
Wexford SHC Final - Oulart-the-Ballagh v St Martin's, Wexford Park, 3pm.
Waterford SHC Semi-final Replay: Ballyduff Upper v Abbeyside, Dungarvan, 2.30pm.
Galway SHC Final - Portumna v Gort, Pearse Stadium, 2.30pm.
Women's Football: Leinster Senior Final - Clonee (Wexford) v Mountmellick Sarsfields (Laois), 2pm, Dr Cullen Park, Carlow.
