Future uncertain but Kerry chief hopeful O’Shea will stay on

KERRY chairman Jerome Conway hopes Pat O’Shea will remain at the helm next season.

In the wake of the All-Ireland final loss to Tyrone, O’Shea’s future is uncertain as his current term has come to an end. But the Killarney man has the full support of the Kingdom’s chief official.

Said Conway: “I’d be hoping he’ll stay on. His one-year deal is up and we will be examining it again. He won an All-Ireland last year, got us to another All-Ireland final this year and took us to two other finals this year. He’s an excellent coach and is very committed. He is still involved with the Munster Council but that hasn’t been a problem and I don’t think it’ll be a problem in the future.”

He continued: “Yesterday we had an excellent game of football. Both teams contributed to it. We were a point ahead with a few minutes to go. We lost out and that’s disappointing. But at the same time the contribution of the players and those on the sideline was outstanding. I’m very proud. And as Kerry always does, we’ll be back next year.”

Conway was unable to give a time-frame on the process to finalise the next senior management team.

He stressed the conclusion of the county championships is now take priority for the board.

“We’ll let the county championships run on now for a while. We’ll sit down when everybody is ready and finalise all our management teams. We’ve the senior hurling as well to finalise. We’ve the U21 football, along with the minor and U21 hurling to finalise. That’ll all be done over the next few months.

“But we need to let the club games go ahead as there is a bit of urgency about our county championships. We have our minor and U21 finals on Wednesday night. We have some club championship quarter-finals to play this weekend and then county championships the following weekend.”

Conway also insisted that the upcoming International Rules series will not obstruct the progress of their championships, even if there are Kerry players involved in Australia.

“The county championships will definitely proceed. We have a deadline of November 9 when Kerry has to have its representative for the Munster club championship. We’re meeting the Cork champions so we have to proceed with the utmost haste.”

The progression of Kerry to another All-Ireland final has put a strain on the county board’s finances once more and Conway admitted that the increasing costs remain a source of concern.

“I wouldn’t be able to put a figure on it. Last year it was over €800,000 and you can bet your life it won’t be under that figure this year. Of course that’s a worry. But Kerry clubs and supporters have always been behind the county board, and I’ve no doubt that this year if finance is needed they will be there.”