Kerry senior football placed in the hands of O'Connor

The Kerry County Board last night closed the book on a controversial few weeks by appointing Jack O'Connor as new senior football manager. He is handed an initial two-year term and succeeds Páidí Ó Sé, who endured an unceremonious end to his reign earlier this month before quickly finding a new assignment in Westmeath.

O'Connor had always been among the handful of candidates to take over the position, but only within the past week was he singled out as the choice of the special committee - headed by county chairman Seán Walsh - set up to nominate a new management team.

Following that process, O'Connor's name went before delegates at last night's meeting, where his ratification was always expected to be a formality.

It is known that he had already been informed about his selection, and had shown no hesitation in accepting. It marks the definitive promotion for the 42-year-old, who for the past decade has played sideline roles at practically every level, with the main exception of senior county manager.

During that time he has built up an impressive record as a Kerry senior selector, as under-21 manager, and also with Coláiste na Sceilge, where he currently teaches.

Yet, the appointment does break a certain Kerry tradition of naming former county players as managers. O'Connor's experience, in that regard, is limited to his club Dromid Pearses, where he also enjoyed a high level of success and still featured on the playing field up to last year.

Under revised arrangements already approved by the county board, the new manager was able to choose his own selection team, with O'Connor settling on two former Kerry players Johnny Culloty and Ger O'Keeffe.

Culloty - of the Legion club in Killarney - won six All-Ireland medals between 1955-'70, initially as a corner forward, and later as goalkeeper.

O'Keeffe emerged with the great Kerry team of 1975, and has already worked with O'Connor with the Kerry under-21 team.

It is expected that Pat Flanagan, a native of Waterford and Irish 100 metres champion in 1980, will act as team trainer. He has also established a strong reputation from training the successful Sigerson Cup team at Tralee IT, where he lectures.

Meanwhile, former Kerry goalkeeper Charlie Nelligan has taken over as manager of the under-21s.

In Tipperary, meanwhile, tonight's county board meeting is expected to decide on their new senior hurling management team.

Although not part of the formal meeting agenda, it is hoped that the eight-man committee established to find a successor to Michael Doyle will be in a position to present their final candidate for ratification.

That candidate is now almost certain to be Ken Hogan, the former county goalkeeper who has already served as a Tipperary selector with two previous managers, Fr Tom Fogarty and Nicky English.

But, according to Tipperary Pro, Ed Donnelly, there may still be some negotiations to be done before the manager and his two selectors can be formally ratified.

"We are hoping that we can tie up a few loose-ends before the meeting," said Donnelly, "which would put us in a position to get the management ratified on the night, rather than having to put if off until next month's meeting of the county board.

"But it is the county board's intention to ratify the whole package. In other words, the manager and the two selectors, rather than just have the manager in place, and then ratify the selectors afterwards."

Other former Tipperary players Michael Cleary and Jack Bergin remain possible contenders, at least for the position of county selector.

Clare is the other high-profile hurling county still to confirm a new senior hurling management, and, while the matter will also be addressed at their county board meeting tomorrow night, it seems less certain that any appointment will be made.

The county is still coming to terms with the tragic accident in Kilkee at the weekend, which resulted in the postponement of the football final replay between Kilrush Shamrocks and St Senan's, Kilkee. That game is due to go ahead this weekend, although final arrangements are still being made.

But some update is expected tomorrow night on the management position, at least on the standing of former Clare captain Anthony Daly who remains the favourite to take over from Cyril Lyons, but who has yet to give a final word on his intentions.