Paidi exit clears way for O’Connor

KERRY GAA chiefs expect to have a new football manager in place within two weeks following Páidi Ó Sé’s decision yesterday not to pursue an extension of his colourful and controversial eight years at the helm.

Board officers are likely to make Under 21 coach Jack O'Connor their first point of contact, and with a stated aim to appoint a manager from within Kerry, it's odds-on that O'Connor will be recommended to board delegates on October 21st.

Ó Sé kept a tight lid on his emotions yesterday after a traumatic week. He admitted that he had sought one more year as coach from county board chairman Sean Walsh at a meeting in Dingle on Monday night, but stressed he held no animosity towards Walsh for his refusal to accommodate such a wish.