All Offaly team managers appointed except U-20 football

ALL Offaly team managers for 2024 were appointed at a meeting of the County Board last night with the notable exception of U-20 football – Tullamore man Ken Furlong was the manager there in 2023 and was expected to be back for another year but chairman Michael Duignan explained that they were “still involved in the process” there.

All the other managers were known in advance and there were no surprises. Kilclonfert man, Declan Kelly was formally rubber stamped as the new Offaly senior football manager with Mullingar's Ciaran Kilmurray and Bracknagh's David Connolly as selectors while former Shannonbridge star, Vinny Mooney, now living in Dublin, is the head coach.

Portumna man Johnny Kelly is back as senior hurling manager and Mr Duignan revealed that there “might be tweaks” to his backroom team.

Similarily Enda Mulhare of St Rynagh's was re-appointed as minor hurling manager but they are trying to get in a coach with him. Limerick man Leo O'Connor will once again steer the U-20 hurlers while Shannonbridge's Roger Ryan is back for a second year as minor football manager.

The fact that U-20 football management wasn't finalised in time for Tuesday's County Board meeting suggests that it may not be clearcut but Ken Furlong is still the favourite to get another year – Mr Duignan said they are talking to a number of people and an appointment will be ready for the October meeting.

Meanwhile recent full time appointments were also confirmed with Raheen club man John Hackett as the new county head of operations, Ballinamere's Carina Haverty administrator and Shannon Harbour's Gary Flannery the head of performance. Mr Duignan said they are trying to get Offaly people into all those roles and also hope to appoint the one company to look after all medical and physio for county teams.