Paul Kinnerk expected to remain with Limerick for 2027

The possibility of Kinnerk departing John Kiely’s Limeirck set-up had alerted counties to make informal enquiries

Paul Kinnerk has been John Kiely's right hand man for all six of Limerick's recent All-Ireland victories. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

There are strong indications Paul Kinnerk will be part of the Limerick All-Ireland SHC management team next season.

The Monaleen man has coached alongside manager John Kiely for all six of the county’s All-Ireland SHC successes – 2018, ’20-’23 and this past season.

His name was not mentioned when Limerick GAA earlier this month confirmed Kiely would be remaining on as manager for 2027. Kinnerk had been included in similar statements in 2021 and ’24.

The possibility of the 40-year-old departing Kiely’s set-up had alerted counties to make informal enquiries about the high-respected coach's availability, but it is expected he will be on board for the new season and there will be only be tweaks to this year’s management team.

Kinnerk, who also coached Clare when they claimed the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2013, has worked with Kiely in leading Limerick to seven Munster titles and three Division 1 titles.

Meanwhile, the Kilmallock management pair of James Hickey and Noel Mackey will join Pat Bennett’s Carlow set-up for the 2027 season.

Hickey, who previously worked with Davy Fitzgerald, and Mackey last week guided Kilmallock to an automatic semi-final spot in the Limerick SHC with five wins from five in the group phase.

Portlaw native Mackey also assisted Peter Queally with The Déise. Cratloe man Hickey has been involved in Clare, Waterford and Wexford set-ups.

Mackey and Hickey come into the panel as Shane Briggs has joined Stephen Molumphy’s backroom team in his native Waterford.

Elsewhere, Brisbane Lions’ Tyrone star Conor McKenna has won the goal of the year competition at the AFL’s annual end-of-season awards.

McKenna, who is gunning for a second AFL Premiership with the Queensland outfit in two years when they faced Fremantle Dockers in Melbourne on Saturday, was honoured with the €30,000 prize for audacious score in the Round 24 game against Collingwood.

The 30-year-old, an All-Ireland SFC winner in 2021, became the first Irishman to win the award and he thanked his GAA club in accepting the gong. "I have my club Eglish in County Tyrone to thank for that so back to my young days,” he said. "A few of the boys thought it was a fluke but I did it again at the weekend (v Hawthorn) so I guess it’s not really."

Asked about the prize money, he smiled: "If my wife (Amy) asks it’s probably for the house but if I get my way I’ll buy a horse probably, we’ll see how we go.”