SOURCES close to former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr yesterday suggested that he is unlikely to take the vacant manager's post of Northern Ireland.

There were reports yesterday that Kerr could be the man to take over north of the border after Lawrie Sanchez departed to manage Fulham.

But while a return to international football would be an attractive proposition to Kerr, he has committed himself to his role as Director of Football with St Patrick's Athletic.

Kerr's involvement was pivotal to the takeover of the club by businessman Garrett Kelleher and while it has been suggested that there is a clause in place allowing him to leave, it's understood that the Dubliner is determined to make a success of his new position.

More pertinently, it is deemed highly unlikely that the IFA would appoint someone with Kerr's background. While his parents were both born in Belfast, his father Frank grew up in the nationalist Ardoyne estate.

And while the North's football association are aware of Kerr's strengths, it is believed that there are key figures who would be vehemently opposed to bringing him on board for the remainder of the Euro 2008 Championship qualifying campaign.

During his time as Irish underage supremo, Kerr angered elements of the IFA by attracting Northern born players such as Ger Crossley, Mark McKeever and Henry McStay to line out for the Republic.

Caretaker Leicester manager and former Northern Ireland international Nigel Worthington remains the favourite to replace Sanchez in the role with commentators in the North calling for an 'IFA man' to be handed the job.

Yesterday, IFA President Jim Boyce said they would not be moving fast on appointing a successor with no competitive qualifier until August when they face Liechtenstein.

"It is vital that there are no knee-jerk reactions to Lawrie Sanchez going," said Boyce.

"We have to take our time and look at all the candidates for I'm sure it is now a very attractive job for many managers.

"We are top of our qualifying group and we have a real chance of making it to Euro 2008 so this appointment will be huge if we are to get there."

Next Fixture

vs SHELBOURNE

Date: May 15th (7:45pm)
Competition: League
Venue: Richmond Park
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Team	Pld	Pts
Shamrock Rovers	16	34
St Patrick's Athletic	16	31
Bohemian FC	16	25
Dundalk	16	22
Derry City	16	19
Drogheda United	15	19
Shelbourne	15	18
Galway United	15	17
Sligo Rovers	16	16
Waterford FC	15	6