Donegal’s search for Declan Bonner’s replacement looks set to continue following reports that Malachy O’Rourke has ruled himself out of contention.
The former Monaghan and Fermanagh boss is currently over Derry champions Glen, but has been strongly linked with the vacancy.
Donegal suffered a disappointing Championship season after beating both Armagh and Cavan to reach the Ulster SFC final.
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They lost out to Derry after extra-time in the provincial decider before bowing out of the Championship when the Orchard County turned the tables in the Qualifiers - recording a facile 3-17 to 0-16 win in Clones.
In the wake of that loss, Bonner quit after five years at the helm. During that time, he guided Donegal to back-to-back Ulster titles in 2018 and 2019 before Cavan denied them a hat-trick in the 2020 final.
A host of names, including Donegal legends Jim McGuinness and Martin McHugh had been linked with the job, but O’Rourke was seen as the clear favourite.
The Derrylin native won two Ulster titles with Monaghan before winning a Derry SFC title with Glen last season.
Watty Graham’s were beaten in extra-time by eventual All-Ireland champions Kilcoo in the Ulster Club series last year.
It is understood that O’Rourke held preliminary discussions with Donegal officials, but has since informed them of his intentions to remain with Glen.
It also seems unlikely that McGuinness will return to the role having guided Donegal to the All-Ireland title back in 2012. Indeed, McGuinness has recently been linked to a return to coaching soccer in America.
McHugh remains in the running, as does Rory Kavanagh who is currently in charge of Donegal champions St Eunan’s.
McHugh is believed to have included his son Mark and Donegal ladies manager Maxi Curran in his potential backroom team while U20 manager Sean Paul Barrett is another contender for the role.
The identity of the three-man selection committee approached to find Bonner’s successor has been a closely guarded secret in Donegal, but their search looks set to continue for a while longer.
Elsewhere, Monaghan are also struggling to find a new senior football boss after news that Ger Brennan has withdrawn from the race.
The former Dublin defender was interviewed for the role and was understood to be the choice of the Monaghan management committee to replace Seamus McEnaney
However, Brennan - in charge of Kildare club Moorefield right now - then decided against making the step into inter-county management.
Another Dublin great Jason Sherlock and Brendan Hackett have also removed themselves from the running,
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