Keane deserves chance in Kerry hotseat

A WEEK of high drama down south will conclude with Peter Keane’s appointment as the new Kerry manager tomorrow night.

A week ago Maurice Fitzgerald looked the more likely Caherciveen man to lead us into a new era, but it is likely that the demands of becoming principal of his local school, Coláiste na Sceilge, impacted on him taking up that post.

Nevertheless, it is only right that a triple AllIreland winning manager is afforded the chance to make the step-up.

Everyone accepts the need for a proper player development pathway in making the jump to intercounty level, but the same also applies to coaches and managers.

And not rewarding those who have excelled at underage level with promotion would be flying in the face of best practice.

It would also appear that Keane is set to bring his minor management team with him – my old team-mate Tommy Griffin and James Foley appear set to come into the fray – while Donie Buckley remains on the ticket.

All of them will bring a freshness and a sense of anticipation which will shorten the winter.