Inside Track: Speculation as the succession race takes off

It had only been made public that Ger Brennan was stepping down when the ball was thrown in, just about everyone with an interest coming up with their idea of who might take over.

A few names had already been touted when it emerged that Dessie Farrell might be quitting as Dublin manager, the popular opinion being that Brennan would succeed him.

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Since then a few more have been added for the Louth post, speculation losing none of its intensity. It’s not known when Brennan’s successor will be named, or who’ll be doing the choosing.

The then-County Board chairman, Peter Fitzpatrick, is credited with having inveigled Mickey Harte to take over from Wayne Kierans, and when Harte left to go to Derry, getting Ger Brennan to come in.

In a recent interview with the Irish News, Pete McGrath said that it was through the insistence of another former chairman, Des Halpenny, that he took up the Louth job.

Current chairman, Seán McClean, may chose to go the same route, or, alternatively, form a committee to find the successor to Brennan. Either way, it’s probable it won’t be for a while before the post is filled.

A look as some of those who might be considered:

Fergal Reel: Guided the under-20 side to successive Leinster finals, winning on the second occasion before going on to reach the All-Ireland final. Five times a Louth senior championship winner, with St Patrick’s (3) and Naomh Mairtín.

Gavin Devlin: On Mickey Harte’s side for part of his tenure with Tyrone, and again on Harte’s move to this county and after that, Derry.

Players have spoken highly of his coaching at Darver training sessions. Back here again, concentrating on underage football.

James McCartan: One of Ger Brennan’s team, and said to be popular with the players. An All-Ireland winner with his native Down as a player, and just touched off in his bid to claim the same honour as a manager, Down losing out by the minimum to Cork in the 2010 final.

Oisín McConville: Won it all as a footballer with his club, Crossmaglen Rangers, and county, playing a key role in Armagh’s All-Ireland final win over Kerry in 2002.

Since turning his hand to coaching, has been in charge of Crossmaglen, DkIT, Inniskeen Grattans in club football, and now, the Wicklow county team.

Cathal Murray: St Mary’s wouldn’t want to lose their Down-born manager. Has won three successive senior titles with the Ardee club, and has a major part to play in this year’s bid for the four-in-row. There’s also an Ardee eye on the Leinster title.

It’s probably been noticed by readers that none of the above are Louth-born. But that’s been the trend for some time, with Peter Fitzpatrick, Colin Kelly and Wayne Kierans the only ones with a local address to have held the post in almost 25 years.

Val Andrews (Dublin), Paddy Carr (Donegal), Pete McGrath (Down), Aidan O’Rourke (Armagh), along with the two most recent occupants, had a county border to cross to get to training .

Monaghan-born Eamonn McEneaney was another to fill the post; but at the time he was firmly established in the Haggardstown area, and at times had charge of Geraldines teams.

Included in the list of former managers are five All-Ireland winners as a player, or club or county team coach – Carr, McGrath, O’Rourke, Harte and Brennan.