Kiely takes over as Waterford football manager

THE charismatic and hugely popular John Kiely is the new Waterford football manager. The genial Kilrossanty clubman (he is also chairman) was the first choice of the Waterford County Board to succeed Ardmore’s Billy Harty.

John Kiely guided Waterford to a first All-Ireland championship title in any footballing grade when he managed the juniors to an historic victory over Meath in 1999. He was immediately head-hunted to take the managerial role with the county senior team, but he resisted and remained on instead in charge of the juniors. This year the Waterford juniors again defied all the odds by winning the All-Ireland title for a second time in half a decade, defeating Leitrim in a thrilling replay.

Inevitably, pressure mounted on Kiely to move up another step on the managerial ladder, and this time he has decided to answer the call.