Hailed as one of the best young managers in inter-county football, the 36-year-old stepped down as Wexford boss in September and was recently succeeded by Aidan O'Brien.

Ryan was linked with managing his native Waterford but has now been tipped to replace John Rafferty as Kildare's coach.

McGeeney is said to be close to finalising his backroom staff for the 2013 season. He is also due to onfirm a new selector to replace Niall Carew who stepped down last month.

Meanwhile, Niall Moyna has joined the Down senior football management team ahead of the new campaign.

Mourne supremo James McCartan has added the DCU professor to his backroom staff along with former Down All-Ireland winner Eamon Burns. Kilcoo’s Jerome Johnston will continue as a selector.

Moyna has had success with a number of teams in recent years. He was involved with the Dublin team that won three Leinster titles and an All-Ireland crown, and managed DCU to three Sigerson Cups, two O’Byrne Cups and a Ryan Cup.

In recent weeks, he was linked with the vacant Roscommon managerial position and met with officials from the county. However, the Monaghan man ruled himself out of the running due to his commitments with DCU’s Sigerson Cup side.

Down hurling boss Gerard Monan has brought Paul Flynn on board for the 2013 season. Flynn, the former Waterford star, will act as the team coach - a position he held with the Carlow hurlers in recent seasons.