Larne job attracting big interest, says chairman

Among those making enquiries about the post were a couple guys from Scotland, and one from as far away as Moldova!

“The Scottish fella’s CV doesn’t seem to meet the criteria. He has no management experience but is a coach with a junior club,” said Larne chairman, Archie Smyth.

“I don’t know whether the Moldovan interest is genuine. I have tried to ring the number and got no response,” he admitted.

Not surprisingly, Smyth refused to identify any of the candidates but the grapevine is always rife with its own shortlist and there have been some interesting names linked with the role.

Ciaran Kelly, a member of the backroom staff at present, is said to be keen on stepping up to the plate, while Frankie Wilson, former player and manager with clubs such as Ballyclare Comrades and Bangor, has also been mentioned.

Former Cliftonville, Carrick Rangers and Lisburn Distillery defender Davy McAlinden has also been touted as a possible contender.

But Smyth told the Times there is still no rush to appoint a successor to Graham McConnell, and said he would not be surprised if further applications arrived.