Kernan will only return for Cross, says son Aaron

AARON KERNAN has predicted that his father Joe will return to football management — but only with his beloved Crossmaglen.

“Big Joe” resigned as Armagh manager in July, 10 days after the county exited the All-Ireland championship.

Between Crossmaglen and Armagh, Kernan gave 14 uninterrupted years of service but he is enjoying the freedom his “retirement” offers. He will visit his sisters in Australia for the first time in the next few weeks.

“He doesn’t miss too many games, he is at every game under the sun,” said Aaron. “It is a tough bug to get rid of. Maybe in a few years time you might see him back with Crossmaglen.

“I can’t see this being the last time he would ever manage a team but I can’t see him ever managing another county or club team.

“If he comes back, he will come back with Crossmaglen, which would obviously be a good boost.”

Armagh won their first All-Ireland title under Kernan, along with four Ulster Championships and a league crown but the family involvement with the county hasn’t dropped off, despite his departure from the sidelines.

Aaron and Stephen are already familiar county panellists but Tony and Paul are also jostling for Peter McDonnell’s attention this season.

With that in mind, the former believes that their father might be better off away from the touchline.

“He probably would have taken some stick with four sons on the panel. It’s up to the four of us now to push on on the panel under Peter.”

Judgement is out on Armagh. Mid-table in Division Two, their postponed game against Dublin on Sunday means they have three chances to gain the win that would secure their status. The first comes against Meath in Navan tomorrow. For Kernan and his clubmates on the county panel it is an opportunity to exorcise the pain of defeat suffered there at the hands of St Vincent’s in February’s All-Ireland Club semi-final.

“That’s something that will take a good while to get over. It was a big disappointment for us. We were beaten by a better team on the day. We just have to move and regroup but we’re all delighted to be back with Armagh.”

After Meath, Armagh have the rescheduled game with Dublin before ending their campaign against Cork.

It is a punishing run-in but will leave them in no doubt to where they stand for the Ulster campaign. Roscommon were swept aside by 24 points in their previous game but that can hardly be regarded an accurate barometer of the Orchard side. Kernan, however, believes, the signs are good.

“It was hard on Peter coming in as a new manager. You have players away with universities, a lot of the Cross boys away with the club and then boys out with injury.

“Once the Cross boys have come back things have settled in well. A lot of boys have come back from injuries as well. The last three games will be a big test for what is to come for the rest of the season.”