BATTLE OF THE BOSSES

MAITIU MONAGHAN

There has been no material update on the search for Vinnie Corey’s replacement to be the next Monaghan manager. Corey’s sudden departure from the role last week was a massive shock and with the County Championship already up and running, there is an urgency to the search to fill the role. Last week, news that Jason Sherlock was among the front runners to take over from Corey. The Dublin legend was linked with the Monaghan job in 2022, but after being interviewed turned the job down.

Sherlock was involved with Westmeath’s Senior management with Dessie Dolan, but Dolan stepped down from the role on August 9th having won the Tailteann Cup with the Leinster side in 2023. Another who was linked with the job, is Mickey Harte. The former Tyrone, Louth, and most recently, Derry manager, was said to be the front runner to get the Monaghan gig, but in a surprising move, was named joint manager of the Offaly Senior Footballers on Monday evening.

The rumours that Harte was set to take over were met with criticism by many Monaghan fans, with memories of the agonising defeats Monaghan sides suffered at the hands of Harte’s teams still fresh in the memory. However, Monaghan’s fortunes may be inextricably linked to Derry’s, the team Harte has just left. The Oak Leaf County have pinpointed former manager Rory Gallagher as their favoured candidate to replace Harte. Gallagher, who is currently coaching Monaghan club Corduff, stepped down as Derry manager following allegations of domestic abuse made against him the week of the Ulster Final in 2023. The Fermanagh man’s close links with former…