O’Connor overcomes minor challenge

Jack O’Connor’s ratification as manager of the Kerry minor football team for the next two years met with an unprecedented challenge from the floor last night when Kenmare delegate Michael Carey and his Kilgarvan counterpart Tom Randles objected to the recommendation of the executive and maintained the outgoing manager, Mickey ‘Ned’ O’Sullivan, should be re-appointed.

Mr Randles was the most vocal in his criticism of O’Connor’s appointment and also wasn’t happy with the way the sub-committee charged with choosing the new man had dealt with the issue.

Randles claimed O’Sullivan had done a good job in his two years in charge, losing to the All-Ireland winners at the semi-final stage in 2012 and losing in extra-time this year to Tyrone, the beaten All-Ireland finalists.

Chairman Patrick O’Sullivan eventually pointed out to the delegates it had always been the practice that recommendations from executive sub-committees on managerial appointments were accepted without a vote.

Other delegates felt the issue should be deferred as they needed to get a mandate from their clubs. The chairman put the amended proposal of O’Sullivan to the delegates and then the board’s proposal of O’Connor.

The vote saw O’Connor ratified 44-28 with 20 delegates abstaining.

John Galvin (Dr Crokes) and Micheal Ó Sé (Castlegregory) join O’Connor on the ticket.