Jack O Connor steps down

[backmest]

Was just on Radio Kerry there!

[diego]

Sad to see Jack bow out. He's been involved either as selector or manager in most of the great days in Kerry football in the last 15 years or so. He'll be very hard to replace.

[seamo]

Good decision. Given great service to Kerry and I'm sure will do for a very long time to come with club and underage sides in the county. A return to the top job isn't impossible either, but for now and the coming years Kerry need a new man in charge, new ideas/perspective.

Let the speculation begin with regards next Kerry manager!!!!

[tipp86]

www.livegaelic.com/news/oconnor-leaves-kerry-post/

[sullyschoice]

Will John Evans throw his hat in the ring.

[buck02]

Big boots to fill by whoever gets the job next.

Jack was his own man which was his strength when things went right and maybe his downfall when things went wrong.

Pity his last game in charge will be remembered for the decision to take Declan off.

I would hope Jack will continue at some official capacity - I think he would be a great man to have in charge of overseeing the development squads and help coach the coaches.

[Deleted]

Pity he has decided to go, his achievements will be long remembered.

[glengael]

Aug 11, 2012 12:06:58 GMT diego said:

Sad to see Jack bow out. He's been involved either as selector or manager in most of the great days in Kerry football in the last 15 years or so. He'll be very hard to replace.

Amen to that diego.

He deserves our thanks for his huge contribution to Kerry football. As always, these things may not be appreciated now but in the future, we'll look back and see the enormity of what he helped to achieve.

I hope he is not lost to the county entirely in some capacity.

[tipp86]

Aug 11, 2012 12:58:49 GMT sullyschoice said:

Will John Evans throw his hat in the ring.

He surely would have to have his eyes on it. There is a lot of negative thoughts about him in Tipperary currently.

He still achieved a lot to get a very average Tipp team into Division 2 beating a decent Down team in the Division 3 final.

It's hard to call if the underage success can be credited to him in his role as development officer. I believe the underage success was more down to work done in earlier years and he arrived at a good time.

I know a lot of people who are far more knowledgeable than me on football matters would say kerry would be mad to leave him near the job.

[kot]

Some names being bandied about:

Evans
Pat (again)
Fitzmaurice (well liked, but too inexperienced)

Outside names:

Charlie Nelligan
mickey Ned
Micko

[Kingdomson]

Not happy to hear this news finally confirmed but I can understand Jack’s decision. This marks the end of a glorious era in Kerry football. Thank you Jack O'Connor for your massive contribution to Kerry football.

[Deleted]

Sad to see Jack going,he has been a great servant,really think its time to bite the bullet here and give someone the job with fresh ideas and approach to the modern game so give Fitzmaurice the job and give him time to get settled in and find his way managing the side,he is well respected in the county and most important he is well in the know re what talent we have coming up,so give Fitzy the job and get Donie Buckley back in the frame as well.

[mitchels]

Jack was a good manager . I think he will be remembered as one of Kerry's best . He won All Irelands and that's what matters to Kerry people . I also think he knows Kerry are going to go into a bit of a decline and he knows that the talent is not really there and he did not want to stay around for the rebuilding phase which could take a while . I think it is time for a new manager with new ideas .

[Kingdomson]

Aug 11, 2012 13:00:25 GMT buck02 said:

Big boots to fill by whoever gets the job next.

Jack was his own man which was his strength when things went right and maybe his downfall when things went wrong.

Pity his last game in charge will be remembered for the decision to take Declan off.
I would hope Jack will continue at some official capacity - I think he would be a great man to have in charge of overseeing the development squads and help coach the coaches.

Personally, I'll remember his final year for the thumping we gave Tyrone in Fitzgerald stadium during Championship 2012. Jack met Mickey Harte twice as Kerry manager and they have a victory each in the Championship against each other and 3 senior All Ireland's each as managers in total. Jack can hold his head high with the best managers of the last 10 years. The biggest regret will be the 2011 All Ireland final, a game we literally threw away starting with one bad pass. The loss of the final in 2011 will haunt us for years especially as it could be a few years before the next senior All Ireland arrives. The era of Jack will be missed.

[nicoshea]

Best of Luck to Jack... Huge shoes to be filled...
I will remember most fondly the win over Tyrone this year

[southward]

[quote
Personally, I'll remember his final year for the thumping we gave Tyrone in Fitzgerald stadium during Championship 2012. [/quote][/b]

Yes, it nearly makes up for the disappointment of losing to Donegal. Next best thing to an AI this year, despite the anti-Kerry brigade's attempts to play it down.

[Deleted]

Cannot see fitzmaurice throwing his hat in the ring. His role under jack was very much that of being a players man. He is too close to the senior players to make the step up.

I could not see him dropping the likes of Tomas, Marc, galvin if he had to.

[jigsawpuzzle]

Too early for Fitzmaurice I think. He's a future manager for sure, and an intelligent man who would be up to the task, but he's better off waiting for the older players (many of whom he played with) to step aside. He's just too close to some of them.

My personal choice would be John Evans. There seems to be some ill feeling towards him in Tipp, and I'm not sure why. They've been one of the kingpins at underage level in recent years, which is unthinkable for a county with such little football tradition.

Pat O'Shea or Mickey Ned as mentioned above? No way for me.

Thanks Jack, I feel you were an excellent manager.

[kapstad]

Firstly I would like to say thanks to Jack for the wonderful service he has given to Kerry football at various levels up to this point and hopefully he will continue to do so well into the future.

Jack managed the Senior side for 7 seasons over 2 terms, reached 5 All-Ireland finals and won 3 of those. When you throw in Munster championships and National League success this is indeed a very impressive return for any manager.

As for Jack's decision to step down I do feel the timing is right. It would appear looking in from the outside that a number of players have not looked themselves lately and perhaps Jack has lost the dressing room. We got one last fantastic performance against Tyrone, but I feel that my Grandmother could have fired the team up for that one given our history with Tyrone.

When Jack took up his managerial role, Kerry football was at a fairly low ebb having been decisively beaten by Meath in '01, beaten again in final in '02 and that now infamous defeat by Tyrone in '03. Jack along with Pat Flanagan came on board and put in place a program to put Kerry football back on top. Within 3 seasons we had won 2 finals and been beaten in another. With Jack concentrating on the football and Pat working on a strength and conditioning program a fantastic management team was born. Of course it also helped that we had some of the best footballers in the Country but it was the arrival of players like Paul Galvin and Aidan O'Mahony, players that Jack recognised as being the corner stone of this new era of Kerry football, that made us a team to be reckoned with again. Alas football keeps evolving and what was good enough to win an All-Ireland in 2006 for example will not be good enough to win in 2013. The players need to hear a new voice and a new approach.

Hence Kerry now need a new Management team. The new manager will need to be an astute judge of players and football tactics.He will need to be able to play the game in different ways and be able to react to different opponents who play different styles of football. He will then need to put in place a qualified strength and conditioning coach(es) to get the players and especially the younger players into peak physical condition to cope with the demands of the modern game. The new manager will need to put a 3-4 year plan in place and be given time to see this plan through. We are now entering a new era in Kerry football where teams like Dublin (1 AI in 17 yrs), Cork (1 AI in 22 yrs), Donegal (0 AI in 21 yrs) and Mayo ( 0 AI in I don't know how long), are the market leaders. I believe we can get back to the top of the tree but I do think it could take a few years and remember that return to the top of the tree will also depend on how we look after our underage teams also.

I reckon the County Board will be looking at a shortlist of the following candidates, Eamonn Fitz, Liam Kerins, Mickey Ned, John Evans, Pat O'Shea and Seamus Moynihan. Best of luck to whoever gets the gig.

[kot]

Not having a go or anything. But to say the fondest memory of his reign is hammering Tyrone is a bit ridiculous.

What about in '04 when Adrian Lurgan, Brolly & Co. were saying for the previous 2 years that Kerry were now envious and their football was inferior to ours. Jack's first year we romped to an All Ireland.

And what about '06 with the discovery of Star and the scintillating 35 minutes against Armagh and another All ireland.

Then in '09, with obituraries being written - for the 2nd time in 3 years going into the quarter in turmoil against provincial winners and fancied all ireland winners. We tore Dublin to shreds. Then we round it off by having a 9 point turn around against the Auld Enemy in Croker.

I would rank all of these far above a round 3 qualifier win, Tyrone or no Tyrone.

[Kingdomson]

Aug 11, 2012 15:30:55 GMT kot said:

Not having a go or anything. But to say the fondest memory of his reign is hammering Tyrone is a bit ridiculous.
What about in '04 when Adrian Lurgan, Brolly & Co. were saying for the previous 2 years that Kerry were now envious and their football was inferior to ours. Jack's first year we romped to an All Ireland.

And what about '06 with the discovery of Star and the scintillating 35 minutes against Armagh and another All ireland.

Then in '09, with obituraries being written - for the 2nd time in 3 years going into the quarter in turmoil against provincial winners and fancied all ireland winners. We tore Dublin to shreds. Then we round it off by having a 9 point turn around against the Auld Enemy in Croker.

I would rank all of these far above a round 3 qualifier win, Tyrone or no Tyrone.

Who was suggesting that? I wrote my best memory from this year’s Championship would be beating Tyrone in 2012. This would not be my favourite memory over all from Jack's time as manager, there was quite a few of those.

[Ard Mhacha]

Not exactly surprised to see him gone. Did Jack ever play for the Kerry team at all?

[Attacking Wing Back]

We don't have much lads that can step in and do a job. As others have alluded to I don't think Fitzmaurice will go for the job this time round. I totally disagree with this proposing of John Evans. From what Iremember of him with the Kerry U21's and even the Tipp seniors I feel he is tactically naive. Also I wouldn't think he had much of an input into the underage success in Tipp recently. Also, the fact he walked out on Tipperary this year doesn't bode well for his ability to operate under pressure. Kerry is the toughest job in the game and if he couldn't handle the spotlight in Tipperary I worry about him handling the pressure here.

I would have no objection to Pat O'Shea getting another run if he wants it. I'm unsure about Liam Kearns. He blotted his copybook somewhat with Laois. There isn't a lot to choose from if we are honest. Maybe Micko as manager and Donie Buckley as coach might work. I wonder will Paidi throw his name into the ring?

[kot]

Aug 11, 2012 15:41:02 GMT Kingdomson said:

Aug 11, 2012 15:30:55 GMT kot said:

Not having a go or anything. But to say the fondest memory of his reign is hammering Tyrone is a bit ridiculous.
What about in '04 when Adrian Lurgan, Brolly & Co. were saying for the previous 2 years that Kerry were now envious and their football was inferior to ours. Jack's first year we romped to an All Ireland.

And what about '06 with the discovery of Star and the scintillating 35 minutes against Armagh and another All ireland.

Then in '09, with obituraries being written - for the 2nd time in 3 years going into the quarter in turmoil against provincial winners and fancied all ireland winners. We tore Dublin to shreds. Then we round it off by having a 9 point turn around against the Auld Enemy in Croker.

I would rank all of these far above a round 3 qualifier win, Tyrone or no Tyrone.

Who was suggesting that? I wrote my best memory from this year’s Championship would be beating Tyrone in 2012. This would not be my favourite memory over all from Jack's time as manager, there was quite a few of those.

No you didn't, but unless I'm reading wrong nicoshea & Soutward think that the Tyrone win is the highlight?

If they mean the same as you then I apologise but it did raise my eyebrows when I read that.

[kot]

Aug 11, 2012 15:54:07 GMT Attacking Wing Back said:

We don't have much lads that can step in and do a job. As others have alluded to I don't think Fitzmaurice will go for the job this time round. I totally disagree with this proposing of John Evans. From what Iremember of him with the Kerry U21's and even the Tipp seniors I feel he is tactically naive. Also I wouldn't think he had much of an input into the underage success in Tipp recently. Also, the fact he walked out on Tipperary this year doesn't bode well for his ability to operate under pressure. Kerry is the toughest job in the game and if he couldn't handle the spotlight in Tipperary I worry about him handling the pressure here.

I would have no objection to Pat O'Shea getting another run if he wants it. I'm unsure about Liam Kearns. He blotted his copybook somewhat with Laois. There isn't a lot to choose from if we are honest. Maybe Micko as manager and Donie Buckley as coach might work. I wonder will Paidi throw his name into the ring?

Talking about being tactically naive I think Pat was hopelessly tacitcally naive in '08 final in particular. Gooch won 3 of the first 4 balls and got 2 points yet we persisted with lumping aimless ball into Donaghy & Walsh which Harte had well clocked.

Also in '08 (and nearly '07 against Dublin) was punctuated by throwing away big leads and not being able to react to a team coming back at us.

But it's tough alright lads. There are pros & cons nearly for every man out there. You would think Micko would beyond reproach but I mentioned it there to a fella and I got "yera, what has he won since '86". Obviously coming within a hairs breath of an All Ireland with Kildare and winning a Leinster with Laois doesn't count !!

[seamo]

People should think a little harder before they throw out names. For instance Pat O Shea. Did a decent job when in charge before, BUT, many here on this forum and me included complained about Kerry players not kicking the ball enough, slow attacks and an abundance of hand passes. We primarily blamed Jack for this (and rightly so!).

<<<If you didn't complain about these and don't see a problem with it, then by all means throw Pat's name out there. However if you did complain about these things, then please shut up about Pat O Shea because each manager has he/her own style, doesn't help for fans to flip flop so much.

[kot]

Aug 11, 2012 16:01:48 GMT seamo said:

People should think a little harder before they throw out names. For instance Pat O Shea. Did a decent job when in charge before, BUT, many here on this forum and me included complained about Kerry players not kicking the ball enough, slow attacks and an abundance of hand passes. We primarily blamed Jack for this (and rightly so!).

<<<If you didn't complain about these and don't see a problem with it, then by all means throw Pat's name out there. However if you did complain about these things, then please shut up about Pat O Shea because each manager has he/her own style, doesn't help for fans to flip flop so much.

Who would you go for Seamo? I can take it that like me you wouldn't agree with Pat coming back So who would you like to see in?

[dart]

Thanks for some great days Jack!

A new era begins.

[kerrybhoy06]

Best day- versus Armagh in 06 or AI final versus Cork in 09

[martym]

Thanks Jack for all the great days and hopefully he will continue to be involed at some level in the game. Now the County board have a tough job (depending on whether there are many hats in the ring)