Jack O'Connor set for new two-year term as Kerry manager

A two-year extension for the Dromid man will be confirmed at a Kerry County Board meeting on Tuesday. 

Jack O'Connor's Kerry backroom team is also set to return. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Jack O'Connor will be ratified for a new two-year term as Kerry senior football manager at a county board meeting on Tuesday night. His backroom team of Cian O’Neill, Aodán Mac Gearailt, James Costello, and Pa McCarthy will also return.

The announcement will bring to a close a month of speculation about O'Connor's future in the role. That speculation had been set alight by O'Connor after Kerry's All-Ireland final victory over Donegal, his fifth senior title win with the Kingdom. 

He had suggested that what is his third stint as Kerry manager would be coming to an end. Though he added that a period of reflection would be required before rubberstamping the departure. In the interim, players - including David and Paudie Clifford - came out in support of O'Connor remaining on as manager. 

July's win leaves O'Connor fourth on the list of All-Ireland winning managers. Only Mick O'Dwyer and Dr Eamonn O'Sullivan with eight, and Jim Gavin with six, have won the title more times. O'Connor's return will also give him the opportunity to win back-to-back All-Ireland titles for the first time, a feat which Kerry has not achieved since their 2006 and 2007 victories.