Latest news with #ex-Orchard
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘That is promising' – Jack O'Connor shares HUGE Kerry boost as two injured stars return to training with final looming
KERRY have received a boost ahead of the All-Ireland SFC final after Paul Geaney and Diarmuid O'Connor both trained yesterday. Kingdom boss Jack O'Connor is also refusing to rule Tom O'Sullivan out of 2 Jack O'Connor will be hoping it's a repeat of his 2014 final triumph over Donegal 2 Paul Geaney, 34, was also part of that 2014 success Despite being on the bench for the semi- and quarter-finals, forward Geaney has been out with a shoulder injury since the group clash against Cork. And with Barry Dan O'Sullivan sidelined for the season with knee ligament damage, Kerry's midfield options were dealt another blow when O'Connor aggravated a shoulder injury in the Two-time All-Star defender O'Sullivan also missed But Kerry chief O'Connor said most of his squad were 'back doing some training in some shape or form'. Read More On GAA He added: 'Tom O'Sullivan isn't back fully yet. He's doing bits and pieces so we'd hope that he'd train next week. 'Outside of that, we're not too bad.' At the climax of an injury-hit season, Kerry have a much cleaner bill of health ahead of their third All-Ireland final slot in four seasons. On O'Connor and Geaney, the Kingdom gaffer added last night: 'They trained fully today. Most read in GAA Football 'And there's a couple of more sessions to go, so that is promising.' Earlier this week Kingdom legend Kieran Donaghy 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal The high point of his five years with the Orchard came last summer when he helped to Donaghy operated as Armagh's forwards coach and underwent 800km round trips to attend team training from Tralee. Armagh reached their third Ulster SFC final on the spin this summer but They still looked on course to claim back-to-back Sam Maguires when they topped their All-Ireland series group. But Kerry ended their summer with a 0-32 to 1-21 quarter-final victory last month. It remains to be seen if Armagh will replace the 2006 Footballer of the Year. Former Derry star Conleith Gilligan and ex-Orchard ace Ciarán McKeever are also on McGeeney's backroom. But four-time All-Ireland SFC winner Donaghy will be on the radar as eight counties hunt for new managers ahead of the 2026 campaign. Roscommon, Dublin, Sligo, Mayo, Waterford, Antrim, Cavan and Derry are managerless.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Kieran McGeeney's Armagh GAA backroom staff to undergo major change as big name assistant departs
KIERAN DONAGHY has left Kieran McGeeney's Armagh backroom team. The Kerry icon ended his five-year stint with the Orchard, who he helped to Advertisement 2 Donaghy helped to an unlikely All-Ireland title last year 2 He thanked Kieran McGeeney in his farewell statement Donaghy operated as Armagh's forwards coach and underwent 800km round trips to attend team training from Tralee. Armagh reached their third Ulster SFC final on the spin this summer but They still looked on course to claim back-to-back Sam Maguires when they topped their All-Ireland series group. But Advertisement Read More On GAA It remains to be seen if Armagh will replace the 2006 Footballer of the Year. Former Derry star Conleith Gilligan and ex-Orchard ace Ciarán McKeever are also on McGeeney's backroom. But four-time All-Ireland SFC winner Donaghy will be on the radar as eight counties hunt for new managers ahead of the 2026 campaign. Roscommon, Dublin, Sligo, Mayo, Waterford, Antrim, Cavan and Derry are managerless. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football But Donaghy may be top of Kerry's recruitment list when they reconvene after Reflecting on his time with with the Orchard on 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal "Thank you to Kieran McGeeney, who took a chance on a rookie coach. You said one year, it became five, only you could pull that off. "You said I could help and that you would help me in return. You were a man of your word every step of the way. Advertisement "To the backroom team, thank you for pushing me, teaching me, and raising the bar. I learned so much just being around ye. To the players, what a group. Tough, resilient, and relentless. "Watching you chase your dream and finally reach the top in 24 was a privilege. Especially to the older lads, you never stopped believing and you earned every bit of it. "Thanks to the Armagh County Board for all their support."
