Devenney unsure where Donegal go from here

By Shaun Casey

FORMER Donegal forward Brendan Devenney says he doesn’t know where his county goes next in search of a new manager, following the shock resignation of Paddy Carr.

After a long-drawn-out process at the end of last season, Carr eventually replaced Declan Bonner, who stepped down following their qualifier defeat to Armagh after five years in the job.

“Do the guys that were involved with him, Aidan O’Rourke and Paddy Bradley, are they gone now as well?” questioned Devenney.

“You would think it’s going to take a clean break again. But let’s be honest, there was no major queue up for this job (before Paddy Carr took over).

“(Rory) Kavanagh and (Karl) Lacey hadn’t even applied for it, all they did was discuss it.

“And Jim (McGuinness) then offered his help to the two guys and none of it materialised, so nobody was actually in for the job.

“If we’ve got rid of Paddy, is there somebody else readymade there to take over? I can’t think of any candidates off the top of my head.

“I can think of people who could be worthy of the job in terms of giving them a chance. But is there anybody readymade and proven and ready to take over? Not at the minute.”

Carr was appointed Donegal manager in October of last year. During his eight games in charge, between the McKenna Cup and National League, the Tir Chonaill County won just one game, in the opening round of the league against All-Ireland champions Kerry.

“The whole landscape in Donegal, we’re at the stage now where it can’t get any worse now that our manager’s not there,” added Devenney.

“We didn’t look tactically right during the league at any stage but the amount of challenges put against that man, I would really feel for him. Between retirements and injuries and whatever else in a really competitive division.

“But I didn’t really see anything that made me think that we have a proper tactical plan, and you could see that in the performances.

“He came in late, so I was reserving judgement the whole time until the championship but sure now we’re not going to see it. Behind the scenes something obviously wasn’t right and now Paddy’s gone.”

A statement for Carr, released by Donegal GAA read: “Following a discussion with some senior members of the Donegal football team, I want to announce that I’m stepping away from the position of Donegal team Manager with immediate effect.

“I want nothing more than the best for Donegal and that will never change.”

Whether the Carr’s management of Aidan O’Rourke and Paddy Bradley will take charge of the team ahead of their clash with Roscommon on Sunday in the final round of the league remains unclear.