Ryan: McGeeney helped me get Kildare job

New Kildare manager Jason Ryan has admitted he wouldn’t have been offered the position were it not for his predecessor Kieran McGeeney giving him a coaching role at the end of last year.

The 2002 All-Ireland winning captain’s ousting left the door open for the former Wexford boss but he was effusive in his praise for McGeeney, who has since joined Paul Grimley’s ticket in his native Armagh.

Ryan, who said he is nowhere close to finalising his backroom team, said: “I’m very grateful [to him]. Kieran is a guy who gave me an opportunity to work with Kildare in 2013 and without that I wouldn’t have the opportunity to be manager of the team so I’m delighted.