Speculation mounting over Kernan's future

Gaelic Games NewsSpeculation is mounting that Joe Kernan may step down as Armagh manager in the coming fortnight.

The Crossmaglen man has had an incomparable five-year reign, annexing four Ulster titles and guiding the Orchard County to their first ever All-Ireland success in 2002. However, the quest to attain a second All-Ireland title faltered in recent seasons at the hands of Tyrone (twice), Fermanagh and Kerry.

Kernan has refused to make a definitive announcement on his future in the wake of the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Kerry. Yet the decision last week of assistant Paul Grimley to stand down, allied by continued uncertainty over the future of trainer John McCloskey may spell the end of Armagh's most successful management team.

"You need time and space to relax after such a defeat," said Kernan. "You need to get your life back on track after so much commitment. I was sorry to see Paul Grimley go but when a man like that makes a decision you know it is final.

"I'll be going some time too and it's the same for the players as at the end of the day everyone's time is eventually up. But there will be no rush on a decision. I will meet with the county board next week and we will see."

Meanwhile, an interview process for the Meath football manager's position will begin next week. Incumbent Eamon Barry, Colm Coyle, Tommy Dowd, minor manager Dudley Farrell and former Louth manager Paddy Carr are all seeking the job.

Barry made no secret of his desire to succeed Seán Boylan in recent years and after defeat to Laois in the qualifiers he expressed a wish to continue the rebuilding process within the county. However, a groundswell of support is already evident for former key Boylan players, Tommy Dowd and Colm Coyle while Farrell's success with the minors who reached the All-Ireland semi-final will not go unnoticed.

In a departure from the Boylan era, the county executive will put just a single name forward for ratification, or rejection, by the club delegates. "It's a break in tradition and the delegates will be asked to give just a yes or no vote but we felt it was a better way to go about it as it means the candidate will already have county board approval," explained Meath PRO Brendan Cummins.

"The next county board meeting is on September 11th but I don't expect a nomination to be made by that stage - possibly by the next meeting on September 24th."