Maurice Brosnan: Five takeaways from Jack O’Connor’s big interview

The five-time All-Ireland winning Kerry manager's frank admission on the emotional toll is a revealing part of the entire gig.

SHINING LIGHT: Kerry manager Jack O'Connor. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

No country for working men 

It was the only way he could do it. In 2019, Jack O’Connor retired from teaching and took the position of Kildare senior football manager. The commute, on top of the already mountainous commitments, meant holding down a job wasn’t a runner: “It really wouldn’t work if you had a full-time job so I’m glad to be able to get a good shot now,” he said at the time.