New managers on the block for 2022 season
Kerrigan sees Ricken’s task as “a medium term” job, admitting that Cork are “a bit off” Tyrone, Mayo, Dublin and Kerry.
“The next reachable bracket is to get into that five to eight in Division 1,” he continued.
“The likes of Monaghan, maybe Donegal and Armagh.
“I thought the conditioning of Tyrone and Mayo was unbelievable this year. They are a bit off that. They have a bit to go there.
“When Dublin win, usuall y you wouldn’t get a lot out of them and Kerry would be,‘yerra, yerra’, but I thought you got a lot out of Tyrone, a good insight after they won it.
“I know a couple of them — Niall Morgan, Peter Harte and Mattie Donnelly.
“Looking at them, I’d say they are fanatics about it. I’d say Conor Meyler, (Michael) McKernan, these boys, they look like their social life is extra training.
“I didn’t realise it until I was up there myself, but I think there has to be a realisation that maybe Cork have to get to that.
“You have to live and breathe it. Like, those boys nearly live and breathe it for 10 or 11 months a year at least I’d say.
Unlucky
“We played them in the Super 8s in 2019 and we were unlucky not to beat them, and it’s nearly the same team.
“They have really pushed on. They had a new management team. Peter Donnelly (Strength and conditioning coach) is well thought of. They have the pieces in place. We need to get up to that level.
“Keith was never one for bells and whistles with a set up, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on at senior level, where you have to have it.”
If it doesn’t go his way, don’t expect Ricken to get too bogged do wn in it.
“My motto is, ‘What
I have failed to do, I will leave as a gift’, he says.
“In other words,
‘I am not going to fix everything. I will do my bit and what I haven’t done the next person will come in and do it’.”
GLENN RYAN (KILDARE)
RYAN hailed the solid foundations left by Jack O’Connor after his two years in charge.
As a Kildare legend, Ryan will command the immediate respect of the players, particularly with the likes of Johnny Doyle and Brian Lacey on his ticket.
Kildare are in Division 1 next season, and in Daniel Flynn they have the marquee forward that other county’s lack, while Neil Flynn and Jimmy Hyland are capable of scoring heavily. They also have fine defenders in Mick O’Grady, David Hyland and Kevin Flynn in particular.
Getting Kevin Feely and Paul Cribbin fit and on the field all the time will be key. The likes of Luke Flynn, Aaron Masterson, Shea Ryan, Ryan Houlihan and Darragh
KEITH RICKEN
(CORK) RICKEN’S appointment to succeed Ronan McCarthy has Cork fans intrigued.
Ricken has enjoyed serious success with Cork teams, going back to a Sigerson Cup win with Cork IT in 2009.
He knows the Cork underage scene insideout having led the Rebels to Munster titles at U-20 level in 2019 and 2021 with the All- Ireland also going to Leeside in 2019.
With a backroom team of former Cork and Antrim player James Loughrey, Mícheal Ó Cróinín, Ray Keane, Barry Corkery and Des Cullinane, the players will be mad to get started.
Keane is a brother of Peter, who recently lost out in his bid for another year with Kerry.
JACK O’CONNOR
(KERRY)
THIS is his third coming as Kerry boss, with O’Connor on the hunt for a fourth All- Ireland title.
O’Connor can’t be accused of coming in at a time when Dublin appear to be on the wane either as he went for the post in late 2018 when Peter Keane landed it.
The feeling out there is that it will take very little for Kerry to go from pretenders to AllIreland champions. Paddy Tally might be the man to provide a few tweaks.
O’Connor is retired now, which will give him time to meet players. Kerry have won just one All- Ireland title in 12 years now
KIERAN DONNELLY
(FERMANAGH)
THE former Fermanagh player has enjoyed success at MacRory Cup level with Omagh CBS and on the club scene with Scotstown, taking the Monaghan men to the 2018 Ulster final.
Donnelly manages Cavan Gaels, and has coached Errigal Ciaran.
Drafting in former Erne star Ryan McCluskey could be a good move.
Fermanagh are in Division 3 next year. Their first aim will be promotion and then as ever, a fresh bid for a first ever Ulster title.
ANDY MORAN
(LEITRIM)
IF Moran’s recent podcasts and radio work are anything to go by, he is clearly a student of the game.
The gap has been growing to the top sides and it will be up to Moran to try and close it.
As a gym owner, he’ll know everything about physical preparation, while he’ll need all of his energy to make a go of his first move into intercounty management. BILLY SHEEHAN
(LAOIS)
KERRY native Sheehan has huge playing and coaching experience.
He is also a former Laois player.
The Tralee man has turned to former teammates Brian ‘ Beano’ McDonald, and Chris Conway, as well as Gerry McGill to fill out his management team.
Since retiring as a player Sheehan has been involved in the Cork and Offaly setups as a coach.
He’s is the latest in a long line of Kerrymen to manage Laois, the third on the bounce after Mike Quirke and John Sugrue.
None have been able to recreate the success Mick O’Dwyer enjoyed in 2004.