KERRY ARE expected to give football manager Pat O'Shea a third year at the helm despite the failed attempt to secure a three-in-a-row, that is presuming the Dr Crokes man wants it.
O'Shea will make his decision sometime over the coming weeks, but signals from the Kingdom are positive for his continued tenure. Meanwhile, the players can start to banish memories of September 21st with the resumption of their club championship this weekend.
The most ringing endorsements for O'Shea have come from club-mate and inspirational Kerry forward Colm Cooper, while county board chairman Jerome Conway also left it open for his continued presence on the sideline in 2009.
"Indeed, I would be supportive of Pat O'Shea (continuing in the role)," said Conway yesterday. "He brought us to two All-Ireland finals and a National League final. Perhaps if we won the All-Ireland by a point all the talk now would be about a four-in-a-row and there would be no question about Pat O'Shea's future. It was that close, don't forget."
This was a reference by Conway to Declan O'Sullivan's goal chance that Tyrone goalkeeper Pascal McConnell saved with his out-stretched leg while moving the other way with just three minutes remaining.
"Pat would be well out in front when it comes to sorting out the position in the coming weeks."
The Kerry County Board executive met last night but the issue has been shelved until O'Shea states his personal intentions in the coming fortnight.
"Everybody is still coming to terms with the defeat in the All-Ireland final," added Conway. "I expect it to be sorted out in the next three to four weeks. Pat was in the job for one year and the last chairman felt it appropriate to continue it on for another year."
Support also appears to be solid enough within the playing group for O'Shea's voice to be welcomed for a third season.
"I think most people would like him to stay on," said Cooper this week. "I'd say that if he wants the job next year, he's probably first in line. There's no reason why he should not be in charge."
The next three high-profile vacancies to be filled are the Dublin and Meath football managerial posts and that of Waterford hurling boss.
Waterford are waiting to see if Davy Fitzgerald will continue the role he took up mid-summer that led ultimately to a disastrous All-Ireland final appearance. Fitzgerald may be waiting on the intentions of several key senior players, namely Ken McGrath, Tony Browne and Dan Shanahan.
In Meath, Luke Dempsey was recently interviewed for the position but the favourite remains former Seán Boylan selector Eamonn O'Brien.
Dublin, as ever, remains the most eagerly anticipated appointment and The Irish Timesduly contacted the name most associated with the job of succeeding Paul Caffrey.
"No comment," said Brian Mullins.
The 1995 All-Ireland winning manager Dr Pat O'Neill has already ruled himself out, leaving another former manager, Mickey Whelan, still in the shake-up alongside former Meath player Gerry McEntee and Dublin's All-Ireland winning junior manager Mick Deegan.
