Griffin appointed Kerry hurling manager as Ó Sé and Quillinan commit to under age squads 

Kerry’s manager Tomás Ó Se. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Tomás Ó Sé will continue as Kerry Under 20 football manager for another season, County Board delegates were informed last night in Tralee.

The meeting also heard that John ‘Tweek’ Griffin has been appointed Kerry senior hurling manager on a two-year term, replacing Stephen Molumphy, who stepped down after last season.

Griffin, from Lixnaw, will be joined by selectors Aidan Healy of new county champions Abbeydorney, and Kilmoyley’s Seán Maunsell.

Tralee Parnells’ Brian Sargeant has been appointed minor hurling manager on a two year term while for minor football, current manager Wayne Quillinan (Austin Stacks) will continue for another season.

Ó Sé’s decision to remain with the Under 20s would, in all probability, rule him out as a potential senior selector alongside Jack O’Connor. Several of Ó Sé’s former playing colleagues — including Declan O’Sullivan, Kieran Donaghy, Colm Cooper and Seamus Moynihan — have been sounded out as a potential part of Kerry’s 2025 management ticket, but for a variety of reasons, have passed.

Though Paddy Tally, the coach, has agreed to stay on for another season, outgoing selectors Mike Quirke and Diarmuid Murphy will not be returning. Whether Tally’s commitment is compromised by the managerial vacancy in his native Tyrone is interesting, but he was down in Kerry at the weekend for review and planning and looks ready to remain on board.

The former Kerry minor boss James Costello, will be confirmed as a new senior selector in the coming days, and the Blennerville man will be joined in an assistant S&C role by Pa McCarthy from Currow.

However, given the nature of Kerry’s campaign it is felt management needs new thinking in offensive/attacking areas — which is why Cooper or O’Sullivan would have been a catch. While the Kingdom have tidied up their structures out of possession, there’s little doubt they need a fresh infusion of ideas up top.

Jack O’Connor met again with a group of senior players last week where feedback was shared on what improvements need to be made for 2025, on and off the field. It would be reasonable to say there is a broad consensus things need to improve in key areas. That said, the view was also expressed that 2024 was another of those All-Ireland could have/should have campaigns for the Kingdom. It is self-evident they are not far away either.

Another looming headache for O’Connor and Kerry is the covetous AFL eyes on three or four of the Kingdom’s next generation of talents.

Geelong have a contract offer on the table for Milltown-Castlemaine’s Cillian Burke, but that process has been stalled by an injury to the youngster which has required surgery and will rule him out of his club’s county championship campaign.

However, Tomas Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys), Ben Murphy (Austin Stacks) and Dr Crokes’ Charlie Keating are also attracting interest from down under.