SLAUGHTNEIL boss Mark Doran is frontrunner for the vacant Derry manager’s position, The Irish News understands.
Although no official confirmation is expected until after Slaughtneil’s county campaign comes to a close, it is widely anticipated that the Down native will finally end the Oak Leaf’s search for a replacement for Mickey Harte.
However, speculation that Doran could be joined by former Derry boss Mickey Moran are believed to be wide of the mark.
It is now 77 days since Tyrone All-Ireland winner Harte’s departure on July 8, coming after less than a year in the job.
Former boss Rory Gallagher was believed to be the preferred choice following Harte’s exit, but that was ruled out on Friday – hours after the Fermanagh man released a statement, through his solicitors, outlining his intention to return to inter-county management.
Gallagher stood down in the build-up to Derry’s 2023 Ulster final date with Armagh after allegations of abuse were made by his estranged wife Nicola Gallagher, which he denied.
James Horan, Peter Keane, Ciaran Meenagh and Conleith Gilligan were other names in the frame once Harte’s time came to an end, Malachy O’Rourke – boss of reigning All-Ireland champions Glen – opted to take the Tyrone job instead.
Doran has built up a knowledge of the club scene in the county during his two years in charge of Slaughtneil.
In his first year at the helm, they lost out to neighbours Glen, 1-5 to 0-6, in the championship semi-final – but they look a stronger unit this time around, having already got the better of their neighbours early on in the Derry SFC group stages.
The Emmet’s meet Ballinascreen in the quarter-final on Sunday, October 6.
Doran has never managed at inter-county level, but has accumulated a wealth of experience as a coach with different set-ups through the years.
The Longstone man, who won an All-Ireland minor title with Down in 1999, was in charge of Castlewellan for five years before being drafted into Paddy Tally’s Mourne County backroom team.
He later went on to work with Colm Collins during the final year of a decade-long stint in charge of the Banner, before spending last year working alongside Oisin McConville in Wicklow.
It is understood Doran had been sounded out about a coaching role with All-Ireland finalists Galway next year, while he was also strongly linked with the Monaghan job, prior to the announcement of Gabriel Bannigan’s appointment on Thursday night.
Alongside fellow Down man Jerome Johnston sr, Doran led Ballybay to a first county crown in a decade two years ago, and is believed to have been on a list of preferred candidates to replace Vinny Corey following his shock exit from the Farney job last month,
Instead, though, it is Aughnamullan man Bannigan – uncle of Monaghan player Miceal – who takes up the reins, appointed on a three-year term, with a review after two. His management team includes Mayo legend Andy Moran, former Farney stalwart Damien Freeman and Tyrone native John McElhone.