No go for Joe and Armagh
Former Armagh manager and the man who led the county to their greatest day in 2002, Joe Kernan has ruled out a return to the helm as Armagh’s manager.
It is unlikely Joe Kernan will return as Armagh manager
Kernan, who had a brief but ultimately unsuccessful spell as the manager of Galway, has been taking charge of the Ulster Railway Cup side. There is said to be a general malaise in Armagh football circles after the county’s humiliating defeat at the hand of the Connacht minnows Roscommon last Sunday.
As Newry Times reported last week, Paddy O’Rourke immediately handed in his resignation to the Armagh County Board as his reign had ‘reached its conclusion’.
The main question on every Armagh fan’s lips is who is going to be the next manager to take over from Paddy O’ Rourke. Of course, Joe Kernan’s name has been up there but Joe has put cold water on any suggestions that he would return to Armagh management.
Speaking to the Irish Independent he said: “I don’t think it’s a lifestyle I want to get back into. And anyway, with sons still involved I think that would be a factor.”
Naturally he was unhappy with Armagh’s early exit from Championship football this year. “There are good players in the county. We possibly need four or five more. But we have to get unity. We have to have everyone pulling in the same direction again,” he said.
“We’ve worked too hard to pick ourselves up over the last two decades to allow things to slip back again. I hope whoever comes in will have full support.”
Speculation was rife yesterday that the next manager will be Paul Grimley who was O’Rourke’s assistant. Grimley is said to have offered to take over as the manager on a caretaker basis or as long as required.
It is also mooted that Kieran McGeeney would be interested in the role as would other men from the 2002 team, Aidan O’Rourke and Justin McNulty.
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=18825
Posted by Newry Times News
on Jul 5 2012. Filed under Sport.
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