O’Connor rules himself out of Wexford race

FORMER Wexford great George O’Connor will not contest the race to replace John Conran as manager of the county senior hurling side.

O’Connor, who won an All-Ireland SHC medal in 1996, said he is “only a rookie” in management terms.

“It’s only a romantic notion to believe that one could manage an inter-county side and hold down a full-time job,” O’Connor said yesterday.

“The day of the amateur manager is long gone given the demands. Given my family and farming commitments, I’ll not be entering the race.

“Managing teams today, especially at top inter-county level is very much man-to-man management, coupled with the professional training, possibly five training sessions per week with match commitments.

“One has to admire the players, but it’s their passion for the game that brings them there. They’re real models for the game and the commitment is unbelievable.”

O’Connor guided Kilmore to a JFC title last year and assisted Tom Dempsey with the county minor hurlers.

However, the Wexford legend is not looking to extend his involvement.

“Really I’d be only a rookie manager in the job. For a rookie manager to be successful he would need an experienced backroom team and even at that it would be difficult.

“The manager’s role is professional, when one sees the level of professionalism which Cork brought to their backroom set-up this year.

“No, I’m definitely not allowing myself to be considered for the Wexford post.”

He added: “I’m getting great enjoyment in helping with the coaching of the young kids in the club. It’s important to try to give them an identity and there’s no better way than through playing hurling and football with their parish club.”

At inter-county level he believes Wexford have much to build on, having won the Leinster title.

“We may have lost heavily to Cork but there are so many young players in the team that they are sure to have benefited from this year’s championship experience.

“They can go to the next level in 2005 with whoever is in charge to bring them there.”

Meanwhile, John Kiely, who guided Waterford to two All-Ireland JFC titles, is to take charges of the county’s senior footballers.

The appointment of the Kilrossanty man is expected to be ratified at the next meeting of the County Board, with Ballinacourty’s Greg Fives set to join him.

Kiely’s task is onerous. Waterford haven’t won a Munster SFC game since defeating Tipperary in a first round tie 15 years ago. The side haven’t had a win in three successive National League campaigns.

The manager elect is refusing to comment on his appointment until it is ratified, but insists “if it happens” he will give it his best shot.

“Others have tried to do that in the past and failed, but if anyone can bring all of the players on board it is John Kiely,” one prominent county board official said.

Meanwhile, Kilrossanty captured the Waterford MFC ‘A’ title with a thrilling one-point win over De La Salle at Fraher Field, Dungarvan (1-4 to 1-3).

The victors were trailing by two points as the game entered injury time when midfielder Michael Kirwan struck a crucial goal from 15 yards to snatch a victory for his side.