Conway: Jack has unfinished business

KERRY chairman Jerome Conway believes the board will be vindicated by their decision last winter to hand Jack O’Connor a three-year term as county senior football boss.

O’Connor remains at the helm until the end of the 2013 campaign and Conway feels the length of that spell is pivotal to his efforts to construct an All-Ireland winning team in the wake of Sunday’s final loss to Dublin.

“Terms are normally two years, but we felt there would be an opportunity this time now to rebuild. Jack was given a three-year deal, with a view to team building. Nobody likes to go out having it snapped from your grasp.

“I’m sure Jack will feel there is some unfinished business. He has plenty of time to rebuild if that’s necessary, and to reclaim the All-Ireland.”

Conway believes there an exciting and talented generation of footballers about to make the step up. He explained: “There are a number of young players in the panel, and I’m sure they’ll be given their run now in the McGrath Cup and the league. For example I thought our midfield played very well on Sunday in Anthony Maher and Bryan Sheehan. We have lost players, but there are other players coming up. We’ll be in a very good position next year.”

Meanwhile Conway believes that injuries will prevent AFL star Tadhg Kennelly from returning to play with Kerry.

He admitted: “I’d imagine the body would be wrecked from that game. We can’t ever say never, but I don’t think it’s a runner.”