Kerr declares his hand and jumps the queue

Brian Kerr yesterday confirmed he has lodged a formal application with the FAI for the position of manager of the Irish senior team. The move comes as no great surprise, with the Dubliner having remarked two weeks ago he would be interested in succeeding Mick McCarthy.

However, the timing of yesterday's declaration may have been a bid to establish himself as the front runner at a time when the association has yet to even settle on a procedure for hiring the new man.

The 49-year-old certainly achieved that much. His success with the Ireland's underage teams since leaving St Patrick's Athletic in January 1997 - two European titles (both in 1998) as well as third-place finishes in European and World Youth Championships - compares favourably with the records of many coaches on the Continent who have gone on to successful stints with their senior national teams.

His successes certainly overshadow the achievements of the three men to have previously confirmed their interest in the job - John Aldridge, Peter Reid and Bryan Robson.

"There has been considerable speculation about my intentions and those of other possible candidates over the past few weeks," said Kerr in a statement issued through his agent yesterday.

"I was keen on the opportunity from the moment the position became available, but there were a number of issues that I needed to consider before making a final decision.

"I have been an employee of the FAI for almost six years and I have enjoyed my role as Youth Team manager and, since 1998, as Technical Director. I believe I am the person best equipped to build on Mick McCarthy's achievements and I have outlined the rationale in my submission to the association."

Kerr will not have to point out to his employers just how many of the current senior panel played for him at one stage or another prior to being capped by McCarthy. Damien Duff, Gary Doherty and Robbie Keane all made significant impacts for Kerr as, more recently, did John O'Shea.

Many of these younger players have voiced their support for Kerr during the past few weeks, but so too have the likes of Shay Given, Niall Quinn and Alan Kelly, all of whom have made it clear that they do not see his lack of experience at the highest level of the club game - he won two league titles in 1990 and '96 with St Patrick's Athletic but never managed abroad - as seriously impeding his ability to do the job.

"It is important to clarify my intentions and that is why I am making this announcement," concluded Kerr in his statement yesterday.

Commenting on Kerr's declared interest, FAI treasurer John Delaney said: "Brian has a terrific record, he's an excellent candidate as are many of the others whose applications we have received."

Delaney declined to say how many applications had been received to date, but said he was happy the process was moving despite the fact that none of the people approached to act as an adviser to the selection panel has so far agreed to take part in the procedure.