Shane Curran set to begin his ‘inevitable’ managerial career

Former St Brigid's and Roscommon goalkeeper, the ever-exuberant Shane 'Cake' Curran, is set to take the "inevitable" step into management in the coming weeks.

The 43-year-old who lined out for his adopted St Brigid’s club as recently as last month, when they were knocked out of the Connacht championship by Mayo’s Ballintubber at the semi-final stage, is due to make his mind up before Christmas on the litany of club management offers currently on the table.

An All-Ireland club winner in 2013, and a Connacht senior championship winner with Roscommon 12 years earlier, Curran claims that throughout his intriguing career he has had exactly 57 different coaches. All of which he intends “to take something from” as he embarks upon his new managerial career. One which will more than likely begin within the club scene in his native county.

“It’s most likely that I will (be going into management in the coming weeks) but I’ve made no concrete decision as of yet, and I’d do anyone the courtesy of talking. But yes, I probably will be, it’s an inevitable step isn’t it.”

The once Roscommon captain and 2003 All Star nominee recently released his autobiography, as well as currently heading his own hugely successful global company, so it’s fair to say the effusively and almost uninhibitedly enthusiastic character certainly hasn’t bundles of free time on his hands.

“It’s all had to be weighed up, you need a life/work schedule balance before even attempting it,” he admitted.

“There is a fresh approach and fresh ideas needed, the game is going in a different direction so I’ll see if I can bring in some of my thinking to it.

“I think in my career I’ve had 57 managers so I think I’ve taken in something from all of them in every aspect.”

Roscommon transfer

One of the clubs Curran has been in talks with is 2013 Roscommon senior championship runner-ups Western Gaels. Yet if he decides upon them he’ll have to cope without the services of intercounty defender Donal Ward.

Ward has been forced to relocate to Dublin for the 2015 season due to work commitments, and he’ll be transferring to a club in the capital in the coming weeks. Ballymin Kickhams has been touted as the likely destination for the young man who has been a permanent fixture in the county-set up since 2011.

Meanwhile in Roscommon and the County Board have announced that the Roscommon Gaels club have signed an agreement enabling the County Committee to take ownership of the county grounds, Dr. Hyde Park.

Ending nearly 10 years of dispute, Roscommon Gaels have been granted a 999 year lease on the Dr. Hyde Park Social Centre, a long term lease on the Training Pitch and playing rights in the Stadium.

Development plans

Last March the County board announced plans for the upgrading of the grounds, which included the upgrading of the playing surface, spectator facilities and the incorporation of other facilities such as offices, catering facilities and indoor training facilities, so after the latest development these upgrades may finally be able to swing into effect.

Roscommon forward Donie Shine has said that an improvement to the much-criticised facilities is crucial.

“It’s important to have a top class facility and it will be great to have it all based in the one place. It’s a big step forward for Roscommon.”