Published: Wednesday, 13th August, 2008 12:00pm

Arena

THE process by which the new Cavan team manager will be chosen to replace Donal Keogan will be decided by a group chosen from outside the county with a consultancy firm headed by former GAA President Peter Quinn and which will include former Down manager Pete McGrath as a full-time technical director and the support team also includes Mickey Harte (Tyrone) and Brian Cody (Kilkenny).

The company SportsTracker headed by Peter Quinn has been placed on the website of sportTrackerjobs.ie inviting applicants to submit their CVs for consideration. McGrath will vet the applications along with Cavan Co Board and advise them on whom he regards as best suited for the job. He will also form part of the interview team. Said McGrath; 'Everything will be done in conjunction with the Co Board. This is an exciting initiative by our company in an area where we believe we can bring a high level of expertise'.

The new approach to appointing a manager does not rule out candidates who don"t wish to formally apply to the website as Cavan clubs have been given until next Monday night to make nominations.

Co Board Chairman Phil Smith said using SportsTracker brings a new dimension to making the appointment. Eventually, all candidates who either apply or are nominated will be considered. 'We want to make the best effort we can to find the right man for the job. which is why we"re involving SportsTracker'said Phil Smith.

No fee

There will be no charge to Cavan Co Board for the service from the Dundalk-based company, according to Peter Larkin, the managing director of SportsTracker which he founded last year to provide analysis support systems for sportspeople. It has since expanded into the recruitment area, providing a specialist service for the sports and leisure industry. 'We are providing our service free of charge to Cavan in order to increase our brand awareness' said Larkin who is also PRO of Louth County Board.

Croke Park scrutiny

This latest development will come under the close scrutiny of Croke Park amid fears that using an outside agency to appoint managers could spread to counties and clubs on a professional basis into the future.

The fact that a former GAA president chairs the company involved is the latest intruiguing development in the ever-changing face of the GAA..

It is hoped to have the matter sorted out by the end of the month. There is speculation that two high-profile managers have applied for the position. It is also believed that a former Cavan player has put his hat in the ring as well as a number of former county players with experience in county team and club management. There is also a theory in local circles that a high profile outside manager will be appointed together with a former leading Cavan player in a role described as a Director of Football. This new role will be defined by SportsTracker in conjunction with Cavan Co Board and those involved with the sponsorship of the county team.

It is understood that the director of football will be responsible for sourcing new players the length and breadth of the county who will have the ability and the enthusiasm to wear the county jersey.

Chairman"s reaction

Speaking to Co Board Chairman, Philip Smith on Monday night last he said he had made it known at county management level that he intended to go down this road 'because I felt that to get the right person and to have transparency and to do it in a professional manner that we needed to go through the process of recruiting somebody through a professional manner.

At the end of the day what Cavan has been doing over the last ten years hasn"t worked, so why continue with the same type of process'

He said a number of people have been nominated by the clubs and who will get the opportunity through an interview process to state their case and if they have the qualities to do the job.

Phil Smith said he wanted to make sure that the best for the job is the person who will bring Cavan football forward. The new manager would be looking not only at the seniors, but Under-21s and minors and help in some way to look out for future talent but not forgetting the necessity of taking a close look at the levels of skills in club football.

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