Kerry hold off on O Se ruling

By Sean Creedon

DUBLIN — The Kerry County Board will not make any hasty decision on the future of manager Paidi O Se and his selectors. There has been criticism in the Kingdom following the disappointing performance against Cork in the Munster football final and the changes made by O Se and his selectors.

"Nothing regarding the team management or the selectors will be decided for definite before September’s County Board meeting. Paidi O Se and his selectors were unanimously reelected to their position for a two-year term following Kerry’s All-Ireland win in 1997. That term came to and end with Kerry’s exit from the Munster championship," said County Board Chairman Sean Walsh.

O Se’s supporters point out that Kerry has won three Munster finals, an All-Ireland title and a National League title since the Ventry publican took over from Ogie Moran. However, O Se and his selectors appeared to be bereft of ideas when making changes in Kerry’s loss to Kildare in last year’s All-Ireland semifinal and against Cork 10 days ago.

Former Kerry star Mickey Sheehy, now a minor selector, said that the loss of Liam Flaherty was difficult to overcome.

"If Liam had been available, he could have been brought in at center halfback and that would have allowed Seamus Moynihan move to midfield," Sheehy said.

Flaherty, although he is now fit, has not figured in the squad this year.

If O Se goes, one of the men who could replace him is John O’Keeffe. He was formerly in charge of Clare, but this year he has been responsible for training of the Kerry team. Other candidates include Charlie Nelligan, manager of the Kerry minor team. If Paidi is not reappointed, his replacement is likely to be a former Kerry star, as it’s unlikely that the County Board will go outside the county for a manager. And Mick O’Dwyer says that he is staying with Kildare.