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Nigel Dineen throws his hat in the ring to become new Roscommon manager

Kevin McStay faces competition to become Roscommon's new senior football manager with former play...



Nigel Dineen throws his hat in...
Football

Nigel Dineen throws his hat in the ring to become new Roscommon manager

Kevin McStay faces competition to become Roscommon's new senior football manager with former player and U21 coach Nigel Dineen putting his name forward for the position.

Speaking to Shannonside FM, Dineen confirmed that he had secured a nomination to become manager next year and outlined why he think he should be installed as manager.

"I go back to 2010 when I first joined the county team and that particular year we won the Connacht U21 title for the first time I think it was in about 11 years," he said.

"That was the start of it for me and I could see that the talent was coming through. Then when I took over management in 2012 we got to an All-Ireland final and again in 2014 when we played Dublin in the All-Ireland final.

"The proof is in the pudding in regards the talent that Dublin had and are showing at senior level, every other team is trying to catch up with them now at the moment. But certainly there's a great number of talented footballers in Roscommon and they have proven that over the last couple of years."

Dineen acknowledged that McStay would be his main competitor in the race for the position. 

"As I said, I'm not aware if Kevin is going for the job or not, he was going to take up the job last year on his own and he declined that. He looked to have Fergal O'Donnell with him, he wanted a bomb-proof situation. I don't know what's changed in 12 months that he wants to take the job on his own now."

While Roscommon remain in Division 1 of the football league, the target would certainly be a return to success at a provincial level this year after missing out to Galway in the Connacht final. 

"A lot of these players have played against top teams in Connacht at underage level and I don't think they have any fear of these teams. It's just a matter of getting confidence back into the players and getting them to believe that they can win a Connacht title.

"Nobody expected this to happen with the joint management, it was a three-year term.

"I know these players really well, I know their strengths and weaknesses, and I know they are a gifted bunch of players and that they really want to achieve and I believe they will achieve."

He added: "I’m a very passionate Roscommon ex-footballer and manager and I have got serious support since I put my name forward from ex-county footballers, from current players and from the clubs and it is very important that who ever is the manager that they get the full support backing in the county and that they come behind the new manager."

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