Adams on course to fill Antrim role

15:21, 20 Sep 2012

With Lenny Harbinson and Kevin Madden both ruling themselves out of the running for the Antrim senior football manager job, the odds are now stacked in favour of Gearoid Adams taking over.

Liam Bradley resigned as Saffrons supremo last month after four years in charge, and Adams, who was a joint-assistant manager to Bradley this season, looks set to be appointed.

Adams is a former Antrim player and his managerial experience includes a spell with club side St. John's.

This week has seen former St. Gall's manager Lenny Harbinson and Kevin Madden, who was Derry assistant manager in recent years, both drop out of the race to replace Bradley.

Harbinson, who led St, Gall's to the All-Ireland Club SFC title in 2010, withdrew his candidacy due to 'new work commitments'.

Explaining his own move to withdraw, Madden told the Irish News: "To be honest, I feel as though I would be ready for it. I've done four years with two very strong clubs in Derry (Glenullin and Loup) and I've two years of inter-county experience with Derry.

"I feel as if I have enough experience to go on to that level, but whenever you're going to make a commitment like that, you have to know when it's your time, it's an instinctive thing and there can't be any nagging doubts.

"It's something you're drawn towards and it's almost something that is drawn towards you and I wasn't getting that feeling.

"I still hope some day I will go on to manage Antrim and it would be an honour to do it."

Madden reckons that his former Antrim team-mate Adams should be given the opportunity lead the county forward.

"I personally hope that Gearoid gets the job. Apart from being a personal friend and former team-mate, Gearoid always had great leadership credentials. I think it's time the county started investing in their own coaching talent," he added.