A sole candidate for the Limerick football manager's position is to be announced next week. Three Kerry men - Páidí Ó Sé, Mickey Ned O'Sullivan and John Kennedy - and three natives - Ger Lawlor, Mossie McCarthy and Frank Doherty - have been interviewed for the position.

Ratification is not expected until October 11th when the club delegates are scheduled to vote.

Football board chairman, Owen Hayes expects the next manager to adopt similar methods to Ulster pace setters Armagh and Tyrone. "We interviewed six people for the position and all indicated that the best way forward was to follow the lead set by All-Ireland champions Tyrone and Armagh. Those counties have a different and obviously more successful approach to the game and we must seriously reconsider our methods.

"Eight of the Tyrone team which won the All-Ireland against Kerry played against us in Mullingar in 2000 (under-21 All-Ireland final). They have since won two senior All-Irelands.

"Interestingly, I read that Tyrone had 60 training sessions since they began their preparations. We in Limerick had over 150 over the same period, and played fewer championship matches. There must be a lesson there somewhere, and that was a theme that came up in our interviews with candidates for the job. Irrespective of who takes over I have no doubt we will see a different approach".

This would seem to rule out Ó Sé, who refused to adopt such methods as Kerry manager and while in charge of Westmeath over the last two years. Former Clare manager Kennedy is seen to be the favoutite.

Hayes, who will stand down as football board chairman at next month's convention, said: "I had a very good relationship with Liam Kearns, and just as a new manager is about to be appointed it is time also for a new figurehead at board level. We reached two Munster finals in my time, and that was progress." I firmly believe we have the foundation of a very good team."

PRO John Ryan and develpment officer Noel Downey are also stepping down.

Derry, meanwhile, will begin the interview process to find a successor to Mickey Moran early next week.

Damien Barton, Chris Brown, Paddy Crozier, Liam Bradley and John Brennan are the five candidates seeking the job.

All-Ireland champions Tyrone play the annual GOAL challenge tonight in Healy Park, Omagh, against county champions Carrickmore with proceeds going to the Third World charity.

A full-strength Carrickmore side is not expected as they play a championship match at the weekend. In fact 18 of the county panel play club championship this weekend with the two retired players, Peter Canavan and Chris Lawn, facing each other as Errigal Ciarán take on Moortown.