Huge level of interest in Galway FC manager post

More than 20 candidates have thrown their hat into the ring for the position of manager with the new Galway FC entity, as the closing date for applications passed yesterday evening.

The level of interest in the position is a huge vote of confidence in the process being undertaken to establish a single Galway side to play in the League of Ireland, and the Board of the new side hope to have the position filled by the end of the month at the very latest.

A spokesperson for Galway FC declined to comment specifically on the list of candidates, but said applications had been received from Ireland, the UK and further afield – former Galway United manager Don O’Riordan, who is based in China where he coaches the Beijing women’s team, has previously confirmed his interest in the position to Sentinel Sport.

Johnny Glynn, who led Mervue United to the promotion play-offs in the season just ended, would be many people’s favourite. However, he is believed to have attracted the interest of Athlone Town, who won the 2013 First Division title under Roddy Collins, but advertised the position of manager last week.

The Midlands club is expected to hold interviews this weekend, and is just one of four definite vacancies in the League, with Finn Harps, Derry City and Drogheda United also in the hunt for a new manager; while up in Sligo, there is widespread talk of Ian Baraclough departing from the Showgrounds – he was tipped to take over at his former club, Notts County, but they named Shaun Derry as player/manager last Wednesday.

The Galway FC spokesperson said representatives of the nine-man board would meet in the coming days to draw up a shortlist for interview.