Posted online: Jul 21st, 2010

By Frank Craig
sports editor

Jim McGuinness is firmly in the driving seat to be the next Donegal senior football manager after Paddy Carr withdrew his name from contention to succeed John Joe Doherty.
Monday’s deadline of midnight was the time limit set by the county board, meaning that the Glenties man remains the only candidate to publicly declare an interest in the position.
It’s believed that Carr had been approached by a number of senior and influential figures within the game here in Donegal, but following ‘much deliberation’ withdrew from the race on Monday evening.
“I can’t let my name go forward on this occasion,” said the former Louth manager. “Logistically, I’m just not in a position to give the commitment required. I’m with Kilmacud Crokes at the moment and want to see that out.”
County secretary Aodh Mairtín O’Fearraigh confirmed yesterday afternoon to the Post that he had received just one application for he position.
He said: “We have an executive meeting next Monday night and the main officers will possibly sit down and discuss it. I’m not going to try and preempt what will come of that, but we’d be looking at it with a view to having something in place sooner rather than later.”
O’Fearraigh also revealed that despite Paddy Carr’s name being thrown around by the media in recent days, he never actually had any dialogue with the former Donegal player.
While there are no time restraints in place for a decision; the secretary admitted that it would be desirable to have the issue addressed next Monday.
“It would be nice to get it wrapped up, as there is no county committee sitting in August. That means if it’s not done on Monday it won’t be done until September.”