Donacha Boyle
The Dubs have been searching for a successor to Anthony Daly since the Clare man opted to
step down earlier this year and Kettle confirmed that they are close to getting
their man.”We’ve been talking to some people,” he said. ” I
wouldn’t call them interviews but we’ve approached people. The process is
ongoing at the minute but we’re making good progress.”I’d be hoping we’d
have something done with a week or so.”Kettle wouldn’t be drawn on the
identity of the new man but he has previously expressed a preference for the
new man to take the job for an extended term.VacatedA host of names have been
linked with the job since Daly vacated the post. Former Dublin minor manager
Shay Boland emerged as a frontrunner and he is the most likely candidate from
within the county.Cork legend Ger Cunningham was also linked with the job along
with Nicky English and Liam Sheedy with current All Star Danny Sutcliffe
suggesting the current squad would be better served by an ‘outside’
manager.”I wish there was a Jim Gavin there who had won everything at
underage level that you could give it too but I suppose there really
isn’t,” he said.”Anthony Daly has been there and won All-Irelands. I
think that’s something we need from the next candidate that he has that
experience from either managing or playing to guide us there.”That’s what
you are looking for. It’s either Anthony Daly or higher. You can’t really take
a step back.”You only realise how good of a job Anthony has done when he
is gone and how much he has brought us on,” Sutcliffe continued.”You
are only playing for a few years and to take a step back would be catastrophic
anyway.”The man coming in, he’ll have the commitment and the work rate of
the players. That’s there for them anyway. We are just dying to get someone and
get started and planning for the year ahead.”The Dublin SHC quarter-finals
were played last weekend and Kettle had earlier indicated a desire to have the
new manager in place before the knockout stages.”We said that but it’s
more important to make the right appointment than make a quick one,”
Kettle said. “So we want to make sure that we get this right for Dublin
hurling.”There’s a sub-committee who are looking after this. After that
we’ll call a county board meeting when we need to. They’ll have the final say
on ratification.”
Dublin appointment to be made within a week
