Kerry surprise as hurling boss resigns

Kerry delegates were informed by chairman Patrick O’Sullivan at last night’s county committee meeting that senior hurling manager Tom Howard and his management team have stepped down after just one year in charge.

Kerry were beaten in the final seconds of the Christy Ring Cup final by Down, but otherwise had enjoyed a decent league campaign, though it is known the straight-talking Clare native was not happy with the manner in which Croke Park were treating third tier hurling teams.

The chairman told delegates he was only told earlier yesterday and it came as “a shock” and it appears it was events closer to home that had caused the unexpected turn of events.

Clarecastle native Howard intimated last June he would like to get another term in charge of the Kerry senior hurling team and would be sitting down with the county board officers to discuss how to bring the team forward.

Kerry only lost one league game, away to Laois, who have made tremendous progress since and only lost the Christy Ring Cup game in the final second to a Magic Johnson goal.

Not alone is the manager stepping down, but so is his trainer Fergie O’Loughlin and selectors Mike Burke, Noel Browne and Pádraig Regan.