O'Dowd is Meath's preferred candidate

THE FILLING of managerial appointments continues as several more counties have now agreed their set-ups for next year – just in time for this evening’s draw for the 2013 championship.

Meath have now nominated their preferred candidate to replace Séamus McEnaney as senior football manger, with the name of Mick O’Dowd to be presented to next Monday’s meeting of county delegates.

O’Dowd comes with some considerable club experience, having lead his club Skryne to the Meath football title in 2004, also playing that year. The 39-year-old has also assembled a strong backroom team that includes his club colleague Trevor Giles, plus Seán Kelly and Colm Brady. Kelly was previously involved as a coach and selector, and Brady also served one-year terms as team trainer under Seán Boylan and Eamonn O’Brien.

Among the early candidates mooted for the position were Colm O’Rourke, Paddy Carr and Graham Geraghty, but for O’Dowd the timing appears more suitable. Meath have also recommended that Seán Barry take over from Liam Harnan as under-21 football manager.

The expected reappointment of Kieran McGeeney as Kildare football manager for a sixth season has also been confirmed, although with some notable changes to his backroom team.

Former county defender Damien Hendy will come in for 2013, to replace John Rafferty, who has stepped down as assistant manager. Niall Carew will continue as a selector, with the third man to be appointed at a later date.

McGeeney will also take control of the Kildare Under-21 footballers, taking over the role from Alan Barry, while joining him there as selectors will be Carew, Leinster Council delegate Syl Merrins and former Offaly and Laois manager Tom Cribben.

It has also been agreed that former Tyrone player Peter Donnelly, an All-Ireland winner in 2005, will join up with the Cavan backroom team under manager Terry Hyland. Hyland has also added a new selector, Joe McCarthy, to his management set-up.