The hunt for a new Derry manager has now creeped into its 15th week as the county remains leader-less, and the inter-county season is fast approaching.
Mickey Harte stood down following the team's championship exit against Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final, and it looks like the Derry county board have exhausted a full list of potential replacements.
Rory Gallagher was the first favourite before Derry ruled out that option, while big names such as Tyrone's Malachy O'Rourke, Mayo's James Horan, and Kerry's Peter Keane have all rejected the job.
Eventually it seemed like Mark Doran, the current Slaughtneil manager was set to take it, and it was just a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's, but cold water was poured on that news, and suddenly Donegal legend Karl Lacey was the latest frontrunner.
The current Kilcoo manager guided his team to championship glory last weekend when they beat Burren rather comfortably in the Down senior final, but when speaking to the media after the match, the 2012 All-Ireland winner dismissed all links with the Oakleaf county.
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There’s absolutely no truth in that. I haven’t engaged in any conversation with Derry GAA.
“I just find it bizarre. My full focus is with Kilcoo, and that group of players know that. All my energy, all my commitment, all my dedication, everything, is just with this group at this moment in time.
“I haven’t engaged in any conversation about any inter-county job.”
Interestingly, Slaughtneil lost to Watty Graham's Glen in the Derry club semi-final last weekend, and after the match Doran refused to speak to the media.
The Down native would have been asked about his links with the Derry job, and his refusal to speak about it can only lead people to speculate that he is still in contention for the role.
However, it is all guesswork from those outside of the county board and it seems that nobody knows what is next for the Ulster team.
