Former Donegal football manager Declan Bonner could be set for a return to the hot-seat after being nominated for the vacancy which has arisen in the wake of Brian McIver's resignation. Bonner, who managed the Tir Chonaill men from 1997 and 2000, is among six candidates for the position. He will battle it out with his 1992 All-Ireland winning team-mates John Joe Doherty, Charlie Mulgrew and Jim McGuinness, as well as outgoing selector Francie Martin and Michael Houston. The deadline closed on Monday night when Donegal held an executive meeting. Interviews will now take place over the coming weeks with the chosen candidate expected to be in place by the middle of this month. Bonner and Doherty are understood to be the frontrunners for the post. Glencolmcille man Doherty has had successful stints with his own club Naomh Columba and Naomh Mhuire, whom he guided to a county junior title. McGuinness, who played alongside many of the current Donegal squad, is being touted as a potential dark horse and was known to have prepared extensively when the position last became vacant. Houston and Martin have both served as selectors, while Mulgrew guided Fermanagh to a shock All-Ireland semi-final appearance in 2004. The selection panel set up at Monday night's meeting includes chairman Sean Kelly, secretary Charlie O'Donnell and vice-chairman PJ McGowan. Tweet

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