Carr mulls over Donegal challenge

By Frank Roche

PADDY CARR is giving "serious consideration" to the idea of staying in the race to succeed Jim McGuinness as Donegal football manager.

The former Louth manager has been nominated for the vacancy by his native Fanad Gaels but has yet to decide whether to allow his name to go forward.

"I'm considering it and I cannot really say anything more than that at the moment. There are lots of things I have to take into account," he told The Herald.

Even though his family had by then left the county, Carr played for the Donegal senior team during the 1980s. His extensive managerial CV includes a two-year stint with Louth, in 2002 and '03, and a hugely successful reign with Kilmacud Crokes - crowned by All-Ireland club glory in 2009.

More recently, the Meath-based boss guided Burren to the last two Down SFC finals, only to suffer successive defeats against Kilcoo.

He was contacted about the Donegal post by a number of people within the county, and Fanad informed him on Tuesday evening that they had nominated him.

"I love Donegal - I have a home up there as well," said Carr.

"Certainly I am considering it; that's just where it is. In the coming days I would like to think I'd be in a position to make a decision."

Rory Gallagher, McGuinness's right-hand man until last year's managerial schism, remains the odds-on favourite to replace him.