logo
Kerry boss Jack O'Connor drops hint around his future after landing FIFTH All-Ireland crown vs Donegal

Kerry boss Jack O'Connor drops hint around his future after landing FIFTH All-Ireland crown vs Donegal

The Irish Sun27-07-2025
KING OF KERRY Jack O'Connor admits today's All-Ireland win could be his final farewell as manager.
O'Connor's men romped to their 39th crown as
Advertisement
3
O'Connor led his county to Sam Maguire for the FIFTH time today
3
Embracing Jason Foley after they ran out 1-26 to 0-19 winners
3
Jim McGuinness admitted the better team won on the day
Star man
O'Connor
His wife, Bridie took a photo of him leaving the house on Thursday - and he hinted at a dream exit after Kerry's sizzling performance at Croker.
Kerry are one off a whopping 40 titles - and it remains to be seen if O'Connor will stay at the wheel to take them there.
Advertisement
Read More On GAA
He said: 'I think I was on record earlier in the year that it would probably be my last hurrah, do you know, so. I don't want to be telling ye lads before I tell anyone else.
'There's a lot more people down the corridor. Look, we'll do that in due course. There's no hurry.
'I was going out the door Thursday evening with the bag and my mrs took a picture of me going out the gate.
'I have a fair idea that will be up on the wall as my last hurrah. I'd say now she'll be firm on that one.'
Advertisement
Most read in GAA Football
Live Blog
Meanwhile deflated Donegal boss Jim McGuinness
He said: 'We are a wee bit raw. We didn't perform, Kerry did perform. That's the bottom line. They started very early in the game and they got a foothold in the game.
'Sad to see him go' - GAA fans emotional seeing Michael D Higgins attend last men's All-Ireland final as President
'I thought we responded quite well in the first half on our attack.
"We were good, we were clinical but I think they might have scored in their first six attacks and we were struggling to deal with them in that period.
Advertisement
'They went for a lot of twos and they hit a lot of them as well and that was big. David Clifford coming on to those balls on a loop.
"We did a lot of work on him and we did a lot of work in terms of managing him.
'I thought Brendan McCole did actually quite well on him for periods but obviously it does take more than one person to try and close down David and he kicked some brilliant twos.
'From our own point of view we made too many mistakes. We did things that we don't normally do.
Advertisement
"We made decisions that we don't normally do and we had just too many turnovers.
'We were chasing our tails, that's the bottom line. We had too many turnovers and some of them were off clutch moments.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

GAA community saddened by tragic death of former inter-county footballer, 51, as tributes pour in
GAA community saddened by tragic death of former inter-county footballer, 51, as tributes pour in

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

GAA community saddened by tragic death of former inter-county footballer, 51, as tributes pour in

'GREAT FRIEND' GAA community saddened by tragic death of former inter-county footballer, 51, as tributes pour in THE GAA community are in mourning as Roscommon legend Don Connellan has passed away aged 51. Connellan donned the primrose and blue jersey of Roscommon for many years whilst working as a guard. 3 Connellan was a staple of the Roscommon team in the 1990s and early 2000s 3 The Moycullen manager was a very successful player and coach 3 He was one of Roscommon's most skilful and graceful players of the 90s He made his debut in 1993 for the Rossies in a 1–12 to 1–10 victory over Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon in the Connacht semi-final. The Kilmore native played a key role in Roscommon's Connacht title victory in 2001 as they defeated Mayo 2-10 to 1-12 in the final to win the Rossies' 20th title. Connellan also reached the county senior Championship final on three occasions in 1998, 1999 and 2001 with his club Kilmore GAA. Following the end of his playing career, Donnellan took up management. Don moved to Galway and took up a management role with Moycullen GAA. In his tenure with the club they won two Galway senior Championships and were also crowned Connacht champions in 2022. He also joint-managed University of Galway to Sigerson Cup glory in 2021, having won it as a player himself in 1992 with UCG. Moycullen GAA payed a touching tribute to their former manager who made history with the club, leading them to their first Galway senior football Championship win in 2020 and a second in 2022. They released a statement saying: "It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of our great friend Don Connellan. "Don was involved with our Senior team as a Selector and then a Manager over the course of 7 years. TJ Reid and wife Niamh de Brun's gorgeous pregnancy reveal "During his tenure as manager Don led us to a historic first County Final in 2020, in 2022 we won the County and Connacht Tiles before a narrow loss in the All Ireland Semi Final. "Under his guidance, he brought the team to the Country Final again in 2023 before stepping aside to concentrate on health issues. "While the achievements and titles are widely recognised and remarkable for our club, it is the unseen and unselfish work that we will also remember. "The nights at training, the countless phone calls and messages, organising players, pitches, matches, physios, etc, but Don went beyond that. "He had a remarkable ability to manage a group while also looking after the individual. He took great satisfaction in seeing a youngster breaking through and was always on hand to support and guide. "Don wasn't for the limelight, but behind it, he was all in, on and off the pitch, an excellent manager and coach who was fiercely loyal to his team, his friends, his club, a great competitor; he simply loved the game. "Leading a group of ambitious players has its challenges. Don had the skillset to navigate whatever came his way in his own quiet manner. "A native of Kilmore in County Roscommon, Don excelled at football for both Club and County. Maigh Cuilinn was home for many years with Linda and the boys – Eoin & Conor. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the wider Clancy & Connellan Families. He loved his football, but his family was his world. Rest easy Don, you will be missed."

Brawl breaks out during heated League of Ireland derby as FIVE cards are shown in fiery injury time
Brawl breaks out during heated League of Ireland derby as FIVE cards are shown in fiery injury time

The Irish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Brawl breaks out during heated League of Ireland derby as FIVE cards are shown in fiery injury time

A win would have been huge for Treaty United to boost their promotion chances KICKS OFF Brawl breaks out during heated League of Ireland derby as FIVE cards are shown in fiery injury time A BRAWL broke out in Treaty United's first division clash with Kerry FC in the Markets Field. An overly aggressive, cynical foul from Treaty's Dean Owens on Ewan Lee sparked a large scuffle in the 92nd minute. Advertisement 2 Cian Brosnan was not pleased with Owens' challenge Credit: @emmakatedineen 2 Members of the Treaty and Kerry benches broke up the fight Credit: @emmakatedineen A Kerry counter attack had appeared to form as Lee got in behind Owens with Kennedy Amechi supporting him against a lone Treaty defender. The 22-year-old was then dragged down from behind by the shoulders from Owens to end the attack. The Kingdom's Cian Brosnan appeared to take particular offence to the challenge by Owens as he ran at the player before pushing him to the ground from behind. Darren Nwankwo responded with a shove of his own before trying to de-escalate the situation. Advertisement The heated gathering was eventually broken up after substitutes and coaching staff stepped in. Five yellow cards were dished out in injury time alone during the feisty Munster derby. Owens received a yellow card for the initial challenge while Treaty's Steven Healy and Kerry's Brosnan were booked for their involvement in the brawl. Oran Crowe and Sean McGrath were also booked for the visitors in the closing stages of the contest. Advertisement This incident comes at a tough time for Kerry as it's been just a week since the release of two first team players. The axed players were former PSG goalkeeper Mathyas Randriamamy and Shane Maroodza who they signed just FOUR days previous. The 21-year-old came through the Leicester academy before signing for Huddersfield and Barnet. Maroodza played just one game for Colin Healy's side. The fight came a short while after Lee forced Kerry's equaliser when he put pressure on Ben Lynch at the back post from a long throw in by Samuel Aladesanusi. Advertisement A second half glancing header from new signing Patrick Ferry on the end of an Evan O'Connor cross had opened the scoring, putting the Shannonsiders into the lead. Former England star Joe Hart reveals how close he came to a career in cricket The Super Blues had to make an early substitution in the first half with Limerick footballing legend Lee J Lynch being forced off with injury after just 24 minutes. Treaty United find themselves fifth in the table and just inside the promotion play-off places with a five point cushion over Wexford FC with 10 games to go. With just one win in their last eight league games, Tommy Barrett's side have fallen away from the pack leading the league table as they are now 15 points adrift from Bray Wanderers in third. Advertisement Kerry's promotion chances have taken a hit after yesterday's must win game finished level. They now sit eighth, 10 points behind their Munster rivals with just 10 games to go.

GAA community in mourning as former inter-county star dies
GAA community in mourning as former inter-county star dies

Irish Daily Mirror

time2 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

GAA community in mourning as former inter-county star dies

The GAA community is in mourning following the announcement of Don Connellan's tragic passing. Don was a stalwart for his beloved Roscommon, donning the Rossies jersey whilst serving as a guard. In 2001, he clinched the Connacht Senior Football Championship title with Roscommon, eight years after his senior inter-county championship debut in 1993 with a 1–12 to 1–10 victory over Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon. Don also represented his local club, Kilmore. In management, Don continued to taste success, this time in Galway. He guided Moycullen to their maiden Galway Senior Football Championship title in 2020. In 2021, Don was part of Maurice Sheridan's management team when NUI Galway lifted the Sigerson Cup.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store