Talks are underway in Down in order to avert a crisis following a turbulent weekend with James McCartan's position as senior football boss still unclear on eve of the Ulster Championship.
The Mournemen were in Dublin for a training camp, but several squad members returned home on Saturday evening after some players failed to show up for a presentation from assistant boss Aidan O’Rourke.
The highly-respected coach had prepared a session detailing how Down would approach their Ulster SFC quarter-final clash with Monaghan in Clones on Saturday, May 30.
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Over the weekend, it is understood, McCartan informed the Down county board of his intention to leave his role.
On Monday, the Down county board denied that there was to be an extraordinary executive meeting to discuss the fallout, but Belfast Live understands that high-level talks have taken place between the parties to have the matter resolved.
McCartan is said to have been absent from Down’s most recent training session last night (Tuesday), but it is believed that he is still willing to oversee the remainder of Down’s 2022 season.
McCartan was one of the last appointments ahead the 2022 campaign following a protracted managerial search to find a replacement for Paddy Tally, who subsequently joined Jack O’Connor’s management team in Kerry.
The Mournemen suffered defeats to both Donegal and Antrim in the pre-season McKenna Cup and lost to Derry and Galway in their first two Division Two games.
However, hopes were high that they could avoid a relegation dogfight with county and provincial champions Kilcoo winning the All-Ireland club title in February.
Yet, the expected boost from the return of their Kilcoo contingent never materialised and McCartan’s hand was severely weakened by a host of serious injuries to key players.
Both Jerome Johnston and Ceilum Doherty have since opted out of the squad while Liam Kerr and Finn McElroy are also unavailable.
After being relegated from Division Two, Down must reach the provincial final to avoid playing in the inaugural Tailteann Cup.
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