Kildare GAA have responded with impressive alacrity to the unexpected departure of Jack O’Connor to Kerry by appointed a high-profile management team to take charge of the county’s footballers.
Former county captain Glenn Ryan, who in 1998 led Kildare to a first Leinster title in 42 years and who subsequently managed Longford, will take charge together with selectors John Doyle, Dermot Early and Anthony Rainbow.
Ryan, who has long been expected to take the reins in the county since leading the under-21s to the 2008 All-Ireland final, Early and Rainbow all played in the last Kildare side to reach a senior All-Ireland final in 1998 whereas Doyle is arguably the county’s most distinguished player in the intervening years.
There was competition with reports last week linking the very experienced Tom Cribbin to the post and also Davy Burke, who managed Kildare’s All-Ireland winning under-20s of three years ago.
A simple statement from the Kildare executive on Friday evening stated that Ryan and his team would be recommended to the county board on Tuesday fortnight, October 19th.
