Donegal GAA seeking U-20 and U-17 managers for both hurling and football

Having filled the senior manager position in football with the appointment of Jim McGuinness, Donegal GAA are now moving to fill the other important positions at U-17 and U-20 level at both football and hurling.

For the football positions, the same selection panel that was put in place for the senior manager, have agreed to be involved with the underage appointments, namely the chairman Fergus McGee; secretary Declan Martin along with Anthony Molloy, Martin McHugh and Anthony Doogan.

“We got approval from Co Committee for the selection committee to continue in their role and we’re hoping that it works out again,” said GAA chairman, Fergus McGee.

The closing date for expressions of interest for U-17 and U-20 manager positions in both football and hurling is 5pm on Friday the 8th of September, 2023. Expressions of interest should be sent by email only to secretary.donegal@gaa.ie. Expressions received beyond the deadline may be declined.

“It also lies within the remit of the Coiste CLG Dhún na nGall to identify potential candidates for this role,” reads the advertisement for the jobs which has been circulated.

Review

Meanwhile, the reviews taking place in Donegal GAA are continuing, says Fergus McGee.

“There is a Steering Group with myself and Billy Bennett, the Interim Operations Manager, as co-chairs with other members from Donegal, as well as the Interim Coaching Support Roger Keenan and Gerard Bradley, the Interim Governance and Finance support.

“That is one element of it and there are the sub-groups - the Interim Governance Support Group and the Interim Academy Lead Group headed by Gerard Bradley and Roger Keenan with two members from Donegal involved on both groups.

The two sub-groups will report back to the Steering Group and the Donegal chairman was at pains to point out that the process will be owned by Donegal GAA officers, drafted by Donegal GAA officers and it will be reviewed by the Donegal GAA Executive and Committee.

“Some people are telling us that Croke Park are in telling us what to do and they have taken over. This is not the case, they are here to help,” said McGee, who said that they have a timeframe between now and early January to have the work completed,  but he added that some of the work could be completed before then.

“There is a three-pronged approach and everything will be reported back to be approved or otherwise by Co Committee.”

In relation to getting the Academy back up and running, it will depend on the review. “Croke Park have an idea for Academies, which would be a nationwide approach to include football and hurling and much will depend on the deliberations of the Interim Group.”

McGee feels that the big outcome of the whole review will be the likely appointment of a full-time Operations Manager for Donegal GAA in February of next year.