Kearns stays at Limerick helm while Barry still eyes Meath job

LIAM KEARNS has been re-appointed Limerick senior football coach for another two-year term.

Following talks with the county board, Kearns is staying in charge along with fellow selectors Brian Kelly, Billy Lee and Dave Moriarty.

“If we haven’t won some silverware at the end of 2005 it will be time to let someone else have a go,” said Kearns, mentioned as a possible successor to Paidi Ó Sé in his native Kerry.

Kearns added: “The players have achieved all I have asked and I feel I owe it to them to see it out.

“They haven’t reached their potential by a long way. There is a lot more in this group of players and hopefully we can get it out of them over the next two years.

“They only played in their first Munster final last year and that experience will stand to them. Also we won promotion to a higher division in the league where we will be getting good quality games.

“Last year the league groups were a bit lopsided and if you lost two games you were under pressure to stay in the group. For the coming season the groups are being revamped and we expect to be in with teams where we can complete.

“Our aim is to make the breakthrough in Munster and we are quite capable of that. We will move to strengthen our panel in the coming weeks in the hope of unearthing a few new faces.

“In the medium term we need to produce another under-21 team capable of winning the Munster championship again.

“Looking to the next two years, I would be very hopeful of making the breakthrough. Despite the defeats of the past year all the lads are still very keen and I’m determined to do all I can to fulfil their ambitions.”

The Limerick County Board through their PRO Denis Carroll praised Kearns for his loyalty: “We recognise the team management has put in great work to achieve Division One League status as well as good championship runs in 2002 and 2003.

“We believe Limerick football will go on to new heights under Liam and his management team and we are looking forward to working with them for a further two years.”

Eamon Barry, bidding to replace Sean Boylan as boss of the Meath senior footballers, said yesterday he had not been approached by the Westmeath board regarding their vacant managerial spot.

The Dunshaughlin manager described the speculation as “misinformation”.

“In view of the media speculation and misinformation being circulated in local and national newspapers, I wish to make it known that I have not been approached by the Westmeath County Board in relation to the team manager position. I have made it known I am not interested in the position.

“I have been nominated by several clubs in Co Meath for the position of senior football team manager and this is the only position that interests me.

“It is a great honour to manage any inter-county football team but for me the greatest honour would be to manage the Meath senior football team.

Donegal manager Brian McEniff is back at the helm-five weeks after he announced his resignation.

The current county chairman was re-appointed at a county board meeting on Monday night in Ballybofey. But he will be stepping down as county chairman at the end of next month.

And the returned manager yesterday revealed that a heartfelt plea from the Donegal players had helped him make up his mind.

Adrian Sweeney had made a strong case to the county board to sort out the situation last weekend. He said swift action was needed if Donegal were to build on this year’s success.

McEniff said yesterday that Sweeney’s impassioned plea was a key factor in his decision.

“We have approached five individuals from inside the county and one from outside. Two of those had a tentative interest but I had no success with the rest. But Adrian Sweeney’s public comments certainly put it on the line. They stung and I decided to step into the breach once more.

“Five weeks ago I would have put my house on not coming back as manager. I have talked it over with my family and have their support.”

It is unclear whether McEniff will stick with the same back-up team.

Last year he was assisted by PJ McGowan, Anthony Harkin and Patsy McGonagle.