Kernan returns to Crossmaglen job

Joe Kernan is back in regular football management after being appointed the new Crossmaglen Rangers senior football boss.

Having initially stated that he did not want to be considered for the role, the Armagh great was obviously convinced to take it on.

His appointment was made official last night and he succeeds joint-managers Tony McEntee and Gareth O'Neill who stepped down earlier this month.

Kernan has a long and successful association with the Armagh club, guiding them to a number of Ulster SFC crowns and most famously three All-Ireland SFC titles in 1997, 1999 and 2000 before he took on the Armagh job.

Kernan's four sons Aaron, Paul, Tony and Stephen are current members of the Crossmaglen squad. Rangers, last year's All-Ireland champions, were dethroned by St. Brigid's at the semi-final stage of this season's Championship.

Kernan, who turns 59 next month, led Armagh to their first Sam Maguire Cup success in 2002 and also won four Ulster Championships with the Orchard men before stepping down in 2007.

He had an unsuccessful 2010 season in charge of the Galway senior footballers, but he added more silverware to his managerial CV when guiding Ulster to three straight M Donnelly Interprovincial football titles, including last month's final win over Leinster at Croke Park.