JAMES McCARTAN is not in the frame for the vacant Cavan job, The Irish News understands.
The former Down boss, who led the Mourne county to the All-Ireland final in 2010, is one of the names to have been linked with the Breffni post since Terry Hyland confirmed he would not be staying on for a fifth year.
McCartan was reappointed as manager of the Down minors for 2017 in July and served as senior boss from 2009 until '14. However, while it is understood the Cavan county board is preparing to interview at least two candidates from outside the county in the coming weeks, McCartan is not believed to be one of them.
As well as McCartan, former Crossmaglen boss Tony McEntee - currently involved with All-Ireland finalists Mayo - has been mentioned in connection with the post. Since Hyland stepped away, Pat Gilroy - who led the Dubs to the All-Ireland title in 2011 - and former Mayo boss James Horan have ruled themselves out of the running.
Ex-Dublin U21 manager Paul Curran, who guided Ballymun Kickham’s to the All-Ireland Club final three-years-ago, was also sounded out, but is unable to commit to the job. Former Cavan forward Dermot McCabe was strongly linked with the post after Hyland’s resignation, but that possibility is now considered unlikely. McCabe - who had two spells as the county’s minor manager - is Cavan's full-time games development officer and would have to step down from that position to become manager.
Meanwhile, respected coach Peter Reilly - who had previously taken the U21 side - is not thought to be interested in stepping up to senior level. It is understood Reilly, who works in the construction industry and has a young family, is not in a position to let his name go forward.
Whoever takes over from Hyland will have a hard act to follow as the Lacken man transformed the Breffni Blues from also-rans to challengers during his tenure. Hyland, who also led the county’s U21s to two Ulster titles, succeeded Val Andrews as manager in 2012 and took over a team languishing in Division Three.
He helped them gain promotion to Division One last season as runners-up to Tyrone, though Hyland was frustrated they didn’t quite manage to make an impression on the Ulster Championship.
