O’Keefe backs off inter-county management

JOHN O’KEEFE is determined to stay clear of inter-county management for at least two years, following consecutive spells with Limerick, Clare and his native Kerry.

However, while his term as Irish manager has come to an end, the Tralee PE teacher isn't fully prepared to close the book on his involvement in the International Rules Series.

Echoing the views of Director-General Liam Mulvihill on the importance of continuity in the management structure, he said yesterday he would be slow to turn down a request to help out in an advisory capacity.

Regret at losing the series to the Australians for the second year was offset to a degree for O'Keefe by the pleasure of seeing his team achieve a massive improvement from the first test in Perth and the satisfaction of winning in the spiritual home of the Rules game, the MCG.

He readily acknowledged that he had been concerned in advance about the inexperience in the squad following the withdrawal of key players and the unavailability of others.

"Coming out, it did concern me. I had been really hopeful that Tadhg Kennelly would be a big player and Seamus Moynihan, who knows the code, would have been very solid around the centre-back/midfield area.

"The same with Darragh O Se who played before," he said. "These were three major losses down the centre and as it transpired that was where we were probably beaten in the end.

"We just didn't have the strength and the cover for Ciaran McManus and Kieran McGeeney to sustain our effort, particularly in the final quarter in the MCG. It cost us dearly.

"The most pleasing aspect was the progress we made from test to test, when you consider we had so many newcomers. They were really determined to do well in the MCG and it turned out that way. Unfortunately, we didn't do enough to overcome the 10-point deficit.

"A good share of the players will be involved again because they have proved their worth in this game. But, for the future, you're going to have to look at maybe more size, particularly around midfield. That's the real engine room. The work demanded out there over the 80 minutes is tremendous," he added.

O'Keefe said he was especially happy with his decision to pick Graham Canty as captain, given that it had been initially questioned in some quarters. Kieran McGeeney was expected to be named after Moynihan was forced to pull out, but he was named as vice-captain.

"They're different personalities. Everyone would have to admit that Graham proved himself a leading light on the field of play.

"He is a man of few words, but when he does speak everyone listens. Kieran is very inspirational as well and also a very good leader. They had a very good understanding and they worked tremendously well together."

O'Keefe identifies two particular issues which the GAA need to take on board if their teams are to continue to be competitive.

One relates to the need for continuity on the management side and the other is about improved preparation of their players for the series. In the latter context, he favours the idea floated informally by Liam Mulvihill that an Australian coach might be invited over to aid the Irish preparations.

"The biggest problem preparing an Irish team at home is that you cannot simulate the intensity of the game. Gaelic footballers won't tackle.

"They won't put in the big hits with the same ferocity, not near the same ferocity as a test match. So, at all times you are well off the intensity of what you are going to meet. It is a problem and it will always be a problem because of our game having only a shoulder-to-shoulder charge.

"If it takes an Aussie coach to help out in the Irish training, I think that would improve matters. Jim Stynes has the inside track on Gaelic football and he is invaluable to the Australians. He is the one who has taught all their players how to kick the round ball, not Gary Lyon.

"If we had Tadhg Kennelly with us he would be a huge asset, or Nicholas Walsh who is coming back to Cavan. They are familiar with the intricacies of the Australian game."

When O'Keefe was asked if he would like to stay involved, he replied: "My answer to that would be, I'm not involved with any county or club. I wouldn't mind continuing an interest at some level, but not management. It's over to someone else now.

"Continuity is so important. If you put in a whole new management team you might just find that the Aussies could over-run you. If you look at their set-up, they have the same four (selectors) in situ since '98. They just change the manager. I think it's a good system."

Having reached the crossroads in his management career, O'Keefe is aware here will be a vacuum in his life, but he is keenly looking forward to the break: "It will be good if just to take a step back from the huge involvement I have had over the last years in county management.

"No harm at this stage to take a break and look in from the outside, do a few things I have always wanted to do and have time to do them. Life moves on and you can get wrapped up too deeply in one interest to the detriment of all the other things you could be doing.

"I have made up my mind to stay clear. I am not going to get involved with any counties. I'll have time to call up to Austin Stacks and see how things are going. They are well served with Billy Curtin as trainer and I think there's a good future for them.

"I'll take two years out and who knows after that. When you are involved as a player and then in management for so long, it then becomes part of you and very difficult to break free completely. I'll always be very interested in the game and in Kerry."