The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
NEXT MAN UP: THE CONTENDERS TO BE THE NEXT KERRY FOOTBALL MANAGER
CURRENT Minor team manager Peter Keane emerged as the early 7/4 favourite with the bookmakers and appears to have plenty of support from the Kerry public as the preferred choice.
PROS: Currently holds an inter-county managerial post, and with two All-Ireland minor titles on his CV he has proven himself a top manager. Has worked extensively with the county’s Development Squads so would have hands-on experience of working with many of the current senior squad and know of the players due to break through in the next couple of years. Managed his native St Marys to an All-Ireland Club JFC title in 2011 and took Legion to within a whisker of winning the county SFC in 2015.
CONS: Doesn’t have the experience of having managed a senior inter-county squad, but none of his predecessors ticked that box either so it’s hardly a prerequisite. Was overlooked for the Kerry U-21 job for 2018 when it looked like a natural progression after two years with the minors, which might hint at less than universal support for him at executive committee level. Might need to bring someone like Donie Buckley on board as a coach. CURRENT Under-20 team manager Jack O’Connor is the bookies’ joint-second favourite (3/1 with Keane) to come back for a third stint as manager, with three senior All-Irelands already won as senior boss.
PROS: His managerial CV screams success with senior, Under-21, minor and schools All-Ireland titles won over the last 20 or so years, and he knows exactly what it takes to win a senior All-Ireland title. Also has a prove track record working with young players and developing them into senior players. Has managed Kerry to the All-Ireland Minor title in 2014 and 2015 so knows intimately the players coming through and who has the real potential to make it at senior level.
CONS: After terms as senior manager from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2009 to 2012 question marks exist regarding O’Connor’s desire for a third coming or for the County Executive or the public to have him back again. Despite winning the 2009 All-Ireland on his return he presided over All-Ireland quarter-final defeats in 2010 and 2012, while his three years in charge of the hasn’t seen Kerry advance past the All-Ireland semi-final. MAURICE Fitzgerald is the only member of the out-going management team considered a strong contender to succeed Fitzmaurice, who brought him in as a selector two seasons ago.
PROS: Regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever for Kerry and comes hugely regarded by players and public alike because of that. Considered to be a very astute thinker and student of the game and seemed to have a very hands-on role in the out-going regime with regard coaching and on match days. Would be regarded as a huge personality to go hand in hand with the Kerry brand, and would be seen as someone who could marry the tradition of ‘pure’ Kerry football with the necessary hardness needed in the modern game. Has also managed his club St Marys to All-Ireland IFC success in 2016 and would know the club scene well.
CONS: Has been collateral damage from Fitzmaurice’s resignation and would need to be able to distance himself from the obvious match day mistakes that led to the public’s anger and dismay with the last weeks and months of the Fitzmaurice era. Could be regarded now as being too close to the current squad of players if the desire is for a completely clean slate. ALL-IRELAND winning goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy has been named checked by Fitzmaurice as a future Kerry manager and the Dingle has tumbled in from 5/1 to the even-money favourite to land the job.
PROS: Murphy knows the workings, machinations and requirements of inter-county management having served as a selector for six years; two with Jack O’Connor and four with Fitzmaurice, and was always regarded as a strong and knowledgable voice on the sideline. Parted ways with Fitzmaurice as a selector after the 2016 season but has maintained a small but important involvement with the extended panel members. Would be able to bring an element of continuity to the wider vision for Kerry football but would also be distant enough from the majority of the 2019 panel to come to the job without any loyalties or baggage.
CONS: Hasn’t worn the bainisteoir bib in any capacity, and the lack of even club managerial experience could come against him in the final shakedown for the job. Is properly regarded as a brilliant goalkeeping coach, which Kerry need right now, but some might see limitations because he wasn’t an outfield player. Was part of the 2014 All-Ireland winning management team but there would be negative associations with being involved in the 2015 and 2016 Championship campaigns that didn’t end well.
MANAGED Kerry to the All-Ireland senior title in 2007, the first of his two years in charge of the team, Pat O’Shea is another who is well qualified for the job if he and the Executive wanted it.
PROS: Been there and done that in 2007 when he succeeded Jack O’Connor and managed the team to retain the All-Ireland title, the first time a county did back-to-back titles in 17 years. Is widely regarded as one of the most astute football coaches not only in Kerry but far beyond. Has had huge success with his native Dr Crokes culminating in All-Ireland Club Championship success in 2017. Has in-depth knowledge of the club scene and is seen as a coach to get the best out of young, developing players.
CONS: His day job as Games Manager for the Munster Council could be an barrier to taking the job, but he did get a special dispensation to do it ten years ago. Alhough he has enjoyed huge success with Dr Crokes some might have reservations that the Crokes way of playing would be necessarily the right way for Kerry to play. Though still involved in management with Crokes he has shirked all media interaction in the last few years and would possibly have to reverse that. REGARDED by many as one of the best Gaelic football coaches - as opposed to manager - in the country Castleisland’s Donie Buckley is strongly desired by the Kerry public to be involved with the Kerry team.
PROS: He’s available. Having spent the last six seasons as a coach to the Mayo footballers Buckley only last week stepped away from the role. Has worked with three Mayo managers - as well as coaching Clare, Limerick and Kerry squads over the years - so he clearly knows what’s involved in top-level inter-county management, and is credited with turning Mayo into genuine All-Ireland contenders. Ticks several boxes with regard to tailor-made coaching sessions, video analysis and working one-to-one with players.
CONS: Though he has managed club teams and was joint-manager of the Clare footballers in 2006, Buckley doesn’t appear to have any appetite to return to the bainisteoir bib. He usually takes a long winter sabbatical abroad to brush up on new coaching methods and might not want to give up that to take on a managerial role. LIAM Kearns was linked to the job in 2012 before Fitzmaurice got the nod, and despite forging a name for himself in other counties it’s understood Kearns is still interested in managing Kerry
PROS: Would come with plenty of inter-county senior team experience having managed Limerick, Laois and now Tipperary. Despite working in perceived weak football counties the Tralee native has enjoyed notable success, not least in taking Limerick to Munster Finals in 2003 and 2004, bringing Kerry to a replay in the latter one. He also guided Tipperary to the 2016 Munster Final, recording a famous win over Cork in the semi-final. Also has some success working with club teams so should be sympathetic to any concerns over any county versus club arguments that arise.
CONS: A total lack of management experience inside Kerry’s border with the exception of a very brief involvement with Rathmore would clearly go against him, and would need to convince the selection panel that he’s in tune with Kerry’s overall vision for the future. Has been a little critical of Kerry teams that he managed against, which wouldn’t sit well with some supporters.
JOHN SUGRUE: Just after a successful first year as Laois senior manager, the Renard native (below right) has managed South Kerry to a county SFC title and worked as Pat O’Shea’s team trainer back in 2007 and 2008. Has potential to be the Kerry manager one day but it probably suits neither party right now.
JOHN EVANS: Managed Laune Rangers to All-Ireland Club success over 20 years ago and has managed Tipperary, Roscommon and Wicklow’s senior footballers since. Well regarded as a coach but Evans’ (below left) time has almost certainly passed for the big job.
SEAMUS MOYNIHAN: Has been working with club and District Board teams in the last few years and was a selector to Daragh Ó Sé in 2015 for the Kerry U-21s. Hugely respected in the game and could certainly be part of the next management team.
STEPHEN STACK: Managed Austin Stacks to a county SFC title in 2014 and would be seen as a strong, decisive voice in the dressing-room, but hasn’t inter-county management experience and may not be interested in taking the top job.
THE REST OF THE REST: Others quoted with the bookies include Liam Hassett, Billy Sheehan, Stephen Wallace, Tadhg Kennelly and Jimmy Keane, none of whom are realistically in the running, but others like Declan O’Sullivan, Colm Cooper, Tomás
Ó Sé and Tommy Griffin could get involved as selectors/ coaches on specific management tickets.