O'Neill appointment confirmed by Kerry

The make-up of the Kerry senior football management team for next season was confirmed last night, with Cian O'Neill notably coming on board as team trainer and one of the appointed selectors.

New manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice has assembled a strong backroom staff which also includes his former team-mate Diarmuid Murphy and Kingdom legend Mikey Sheehy.

Ex-goalkeeper Murphy has remained on from Jack O'Connor's managerial reign. He will have selector duties along with Sheehy and O'Neill, who is rated as one of the best GAA strength and conditioning coaches around.

O'Neill coached Mayo last season as they reached the Allianz League and All-Ireland finals and retained the Connacht SFC title.

The UL lecturer's coaching CV also includes a three-year stint with the Tipperary hurlers, during which they lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2010.

Kerry GAA chairman Patrick O'Sullivan said: "Eamonn, Mikey and Diarmuid have 15 All-Ireland SFC medals won between them, which makes them one of the most experienced management teams Kerry has ever had."

Meanwhile, the Kerry County Board have ratified Tom Howard as the county's new senior hurling supremo.

The former Clare underage hurler replaces John Meyler who resigned during the summer following the Kingdom's Christy Ring Cup defeat to Kildare.

In recent seasons, Howard previously worked with Anthony Daly at Kilmoyley where they won two Kerry Championships. In addition, he managed his native Clarecastle to a county title in 2003.

Two of Howard's three selectors have been announced - they are Padraig Regan from Kilmoyley and Causeway's Mike Bourke.

The Kingdom panel will be trained by Fergus O'Loughlin.