Gaelic Games:Jack O'Connor has confirmed that he will step down as manager of Kerry following the county's exit from the All-Ireland football championship with defeat to Donegal in last Sunday's quarter-final.
O’Connor met with Kerry county board chairman Patrick O’Sullivan last Wednesday, after which the board released a statement saying that the manager “would be given time and space to reflect on the All-Ireland Championship 2012” and that “no decision on Jack O’Connor’s future as Kerry team manager would be rushed into”.
Today the board announced that they had received notice from O’Connor that he was to step down, although he had a year left of a three-year term, his second as senior manager.
Confirming the decision in a statement, O’Sullivan said: “Jack O’Connor has served Kerry well as a manager and has been part of
16 All-Ireland winning teams at different levels. I wish to sincerely thank him, his selectors and their backroom team for their commitment and dedication to Kerry football.”
O’Connor’s decision will come as a serious blow to Kerry. The 51-year-old led the county to three All-Ireland senior football titles during two spells as manager in 2004, 2006 and 2009. Coincidentally he also won National League titles in the same years.
He resigned as manager of the Kerry team in 2006 but came back for the 2009 campaign when Pat O’Shea stepped down; guiding the Kingdom to a third All-Ireland and League double. He was given a new three-year contract the following year. It is understood that the county board wanted him to continue in the post.
Former player Eamonn Fitzmaurice, who currently manages the Kerry under-21 team, has been mentioned as a possible successor.