LOUIS KILCOYNE said yesterday that there was still some talking to be done before they are in a position to name a successor to Jack Charlton as national team manager. Commenting on the second round of interviews, held in London on Thursday, the FAI president said that substantial progress had been achieved, but a lot of work still lay ahead.

"I think it is valid to suggest that the issue is not as clear-cut as some are suggesting, but we are moving towards a conclusion," he said. "Depending on progress over the next three or four days, it is possible that we could have white smoke next Friday, but that's by no means certain. The important thing is to arrive at the right decision and if that means spending an extra week sifting through the applicants, so be it."

The inference is that two candidates, possibly three, are still perceived by the selection sub-committee, as retaining realistic chances after the latest round of interviews. Only Liam Brady of those previously interviewed was not invited to Gatwick. Brady's former Ireland team-mate, Kevin Moran was instead interviewed and his belated entry caused some revision of earlier estimates.

Moran, without any managerial experience, is said to have performed well at interview, but according to one FAI insider, all five sets of talks on Thursday were satisfactory. According to one of those interviewed, no promises were made, the talks were open ended and the impression conveyed was that the FAI still regarded it as a genuine contest.

In most books, Mick McCarthy remains favourite and, significantly perhaps, a special meeting of the Millwall directors has been summoned for Tuesday next. Whether this is to do with the Ireland post remains unclear, but the consensus is that the club will be looking for a phased transition of power if their man is chosen.

This would mean McCarthy continuing to discharge his club duties until the end of the season when Millwall feel they would be in a better position to attract qualified candidates for their vacancy.

As of now, there are only two international dates pencilled in before the completion of the English first division championship programme on May 4th. Russia are due at Lansdowne Road on March 27th, while Ireland are away to the Czech Republic on April 24th.

There is a possibility, of course, that Millwall could be involved in the final of the first division play-offs on May 25th, the day before McCarthy has his testimonial game in which Celtic will provide the opposition to an Ireland XI at Lansdowne Road.

His candidature may not be the cast-iron certainty that his supporters believe, and some will have been intrigued by Moran's unexpected appearance at Gatwick on Thursday.

For a managerial novice to be appointed to take charge of a national team would be a huge' gamble, but there are those within the FAI, not necessarily on the selection sub-committee, who believe that Moran has the strength of character to undertake the job successfully.

Whether this translates into a vote of confidence over the next couple of days is far from certain, but like Walker and Bassett, Moran is of the opinion that the post is still there to be won.

Officials refused to comment yesterday n the length of the contract likely to be offered to the new man, but the probability is that it will be for a period of four years. This is thought to be the minimum time necessary for Charlton's replacement to make an impact on the job. In addition to the 1998 World Cup, it will take the newcomer through to the next European Championship.

The FAI is reluctant to talk about the money on offer, but almost certainly it will be considerably more than the £120,000 which Charlton earned in his last year in the job. Charlton was able to earn considerably more in ancillary fees, of course, but there is at least some evidence that the association is now intent on getting a slice of this action.

While the new manager will be free to supplement his income with any number of promotional activities, the job specifications now require him to represent the association at a specific number of corporate events.