Roscommon co-manager Kevin McStay will have to reapply if he wants to take sole charge of the senior football team, writes John Fogarty.

Following Fergie O’Donnell’s resignation late on Tuesday, Roscommon have made the role open to competition.

Roscommon’s executive took the decision to deem the position vacant after O’Donnell, along with fellow Roscommon natives Stephen Bohan and David Casey stepped down from their positions on Tuesday night.

For approximately 24 hours, McStay had been left in situ with fellow Mayo man Liam McHale, but they have been stood down as a result of the executive’s move.

It remains to be seen what McStay does next and whether or not he is inclined to interview for the role.

It’s an unmitigated mess for Roscommon who this year have already suffered the ignominy of a heavy Connacht final replay defeat, a qualifier exit to Clare as well as having to move their Division 1 game against Dublin from Hyde Park to Carrick-on-Shannon on the morning of the game due to an unplayable pitch.

Appointed alongside McStay last September, O’Donnell had claimed in a statement there was a “concerted effort” made to “undermine and disparage” the trio.

The statement read: “Having been asked 12 months ago to contribute to making Roscommon a force again over a three-year term, we were wholeheartedly committed to achieving that goal.

“Our decision to depart now is made in the best interests of Roscommon football and with a view to removing the inevitable distraction that would result from a potentially divisive contest for the position of manager between myself and Kevin.

“Recently, a concerted effort has been made (outside of management and players) to undermine and disparage us and it is especially disappointing and damaging that those involved purport to be concerned about the promotion of GAA within the county.”

Meanwhile, Dublin chairman Seán Shanley has confirmed that as had been expected Ger Cunningham will be in charge of the senior hurlers for a third season next year.

“We had discussions with Ger and he informed us that he was happy to stay on as the hurling manager for another year,” said Shanley.

“We were also happy for Ger to remain on for another year so there was agreement all around and then it was just a formality that Ger would be with us once again in 2017.”