I turned down 15 job offers, says new Kildare boss Cian O’Neill

New Kildare football manager Cian O’Neill revealed he rebuffed up to 15 inter-county positions in recent seasons and only left his Kerry role because his native county called.

The Newbridge man, who has had successful stints with management teams in Limerick, Mayo and Kerry, and the Tipp hurlers, agreed to manage Kildare for the next three years.

Prior to being contacted by the Lilies, the Cork Institute of Technology department head had agreed to stick with beaten All-Ireland finalists Kerry for a fourth season. But the lure of his own county was too strong and despite intriguingly rating them as a third tier team, he is optimistic about reviving Kildare and making them a competitive force again.