O’Shea and O’Mahony
set for top jobs
 By Graham
Clifford
A bush fire of rumour is spreading across Kerry and Mayo this week as
both counties look to appoint new football managers.
In the Kingdom Dr. Crokes boss Pat O’Shea looks set to be named
as Jack O’Connor’s successor though there is still a chance
the popular Killarney man may opt out for personal reasons.
O’Shea who is coaching co-ordinator for the Munster Council would
have to give up his current post to take over the position but it’s
expected the lure of the Kerry hotseat may still be too attractive for
O’Shea to turn down.
Two weeks ago Pat O’Shea was at St. George’s school in London
to oversee a coaching session of underage coaches as part of an initiative
by the local Cumann na mBunscoil. O’Shea has been coaching Gaelic
football and hurling in London on a number of occasions in the past few
years but if he takes the Kerry job as expected he’ll have to dedicate
all his time to helping Kerry retain the All-Ireland title.
With former Kerry manager Paudi O’Sé opting out of the race
for the biggest job in Gaelic football Pat O’Shea has become hot
favourite to take the post.
For the time being O’Shea is concentrating on his club’s escapades
in Kerry’s club Championship. Dr. Crokes defeated Mid Kerry to reach
the county final against South Kerry but it will be difficult for him
to escape the spotlight in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile in Mayo supporters of the green and red are hoping that John
O’Mahony will be appointed as Mickey Moran’s successor in
the coming weeks.
The Mayoman and former Galway and Leitrim manager will meet with members
of the county board this week to discuss the opening. He is also expected
to run for Fine Gael in next year’s General Election in his native
Mayo constituency and there is concern amongst some fans that he would
not be able to commit himself totally to the Mayo job if he reaches Dáil
Éireann.
There was surprise in the county this week when David Brady’s name
was also mentioned in relation to the vacancy. The Ballina man announced
his retirement from inter-county football immediately after this year’s
All-Ireland final and despite his lack of managerial experience he is
still one of the most popular players of the recent era in the county.
In both Kerry and Mayo the speculation will continue but it seems O’Shea
and O’Mahony just have to give respective nods and the jobs are
theirs.
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