Derry and Antrim close to filling football vacancies

Derry and Antrim are expected to appoint Ciaran Meenagh and Paddy Bradley as their new respective senior football managers in the coming days.

Meenagh is set for a return to the Derry hotseat, just two years after guiding them to an Ulster SFC final penalty shootout victory over Armagh. He took charge on the eve of the final after Rory Gallagher was forced to step down amid allegations of domestic abuse. The Oak Leafers went on to reach the All-Ireland SFC semi-final which they lost narrowly to Kerry.

The Loughmacrory native, who is a teacher in Draperstown, decided against taking the post on a permanent basis and spent the last two seasons working with Conor Laverty in Down instead. He is set to replace the recently-departed Paddy Tally, who failed to win a game during his only season at the helm, and is expected to have former All-Star defender Chrissy McKaigue in his backroom team.

Meanwhile, ex-Derry sharpshooter Bradley is set to follow in his father Liam’s footsteps by taking charge of Antrim.

A former Antrim selector, Bradley is poised to take over from Andy McEntee, who recently brought the curtain down on his three-year tenure. Paul McFlynn, Barry Dillon and Paul Rouse are believed to be on the Glenullin clubman’s management ticket.