McIver rethinks resignation but faces interview again

Brian McIver has reversed his decision to quit the position of Donegal football manager. The Donegal County Board have, however, already accepted two formal applications, so the Derryman must again undergo the interview process along with the Donegal natives Charlie Mulgrew and Jim McGuinness.

McIver resigned immediately after the eight-point defeat to Monaghan in the third-round qualifier on Saturday, July 28th.

That loss was the nadir of Donegal's dramatic collapse in form since winning the National League - their first national title since the breakthrough All-Ireland success of 1992. They also suffered an 11-point loss to Tyrone in the Ulster semi-final on June 17th.

McIver made a formal application to the county board on Monday night after meeting the Donegal players for the first time since their season ended.

"After the Monaghan match Brian announced his decision to step down," explained the Donegal chairman, Seán Kelly. "I offered him a time period to reconsider his options and maybe change his mind. That he has chosen to do so now is not a problem but we must respect the two applications that have since been put forward.

"I've spoken to Brian and he understands that he must go through the process of applying for the job again, as a matter of respect for the other two candidates."

Having guided Donegal to an All-Ireland quarter-final in 2006 and brought them undefeated through the league this season, McIver would seem a straightforward reappointment, but the candidacy of Mulgrew, in particular, could make it a tight contest.

Mulgrew brought Fermanagh to an All-Ireland semi-final replay against Mayo in 2004 and only recently stepped down after four years in that position.

He and McGuinness were part of the Donegal panel in 1992, though neither featured in the All-Ireland final victory over Dublin.

McGuinness is player-manager of Donegal club Naomh Conaill.

Others mentioned in connection with the Donegal job were Martin McHugh, who immediately ruled himself out, and another player from the glory year of 1992, Donal Reid, who declared an interest but has yet to formally apply.

The Offaly County Board have confirmed Pat Roe will continue as football manager for a second year despite relegation to Division Four of the league. Roe was called before the football review board last week, and his tenure will be reviewed again next year.

Despite Waterford losing a fifth All-Ireland hurling semi-final since 1998, the county board secretary, Séamus Grant, expects Justin McCarthy to remain on as manager for a sixth year when the appointment process takes place on September 10th.

"My impression is he would like to stay on and I couldn't see an objection coming from any quarters," said Grant.

"We were beaten by the system this year. It is crazy to have to play two teams

twice in one season while Kilkenny have not had to play one Munster team on their way to the All-Ireland final. It's an unfair system and they'll have to change it."

The Derry football manager, Paddy Crozier, has also received support from his county board for another year in charge. "It will be his choice if he wants to stay or not," said the chairman, Séamus McCloy. Derry lost to Monaghan in the Ulster championship but recovered to beat Armagh, Mayo and Laois in the qualifiers before losing to Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Meanwhile, it has emerged Derry full back Kevin McCloy played in last Sunday's game against medical advice, having had a pin inserted in a broken finger two weeks earlier.

Longford's John Bannon has been confirmed as referee for the All-Ireland football semi-final between Dublin and Kerry on August 26th. Bannon took charge of the finals of 1998 and 2002.

The race for All-Ireland hurling final tickets in Limerick has hit fever pitch, a supporters' club's fundraising dinner at the Woodlands House hotel selling out in an hour yesterday. Forty tables were sold for €2,000 each; each table seats 10 and all takers are guaranteed a stand ticket for the final. Many fans are, however, expected to be disappointed; the county's allocation of tickets is likely to fall far short of demand.