Some managers might consider themselves lucky, although not Darragh Ó Sé. Not yet anyway. The six-time All-Ireland winner will almost inevitably take on another role down the road, but for now has stepped aside after three years as Kerry under-21 football manager.
Wednesday night’s Munster semi-final defeat to Cork – 1-12- to 1-9 – marked the third year in succession that Kerry, under Ó Sé, lost out to their close rivals in the competition.
It also means 2008 marks the last time they won a provincial title in the grade, the same year they went on to win the All-Ireland.
Indeed Kerry’s under-21s have now lost to Cork in each of the last five years; twice in the final, once in the semi-final, and twice at the quarter final stage. Ó Sé was in charge for the last three of those, and the feeling was this was always likely to be his last year, unless they managed to at least win a Munster title.
“It’s time for a fresh voice,” said Ó Sé. “I’ve been there for three years now, enjoyed my time no end. I did a lot of work with the lads and enjoyed my time and I think maybe it’s time for somebody else now.”
Kerry were level with Cork, – at 1-8 each in the 48th minute – before Cork kicked on, benefitting from home advantage and a slightly more experienced team that will now look to win a record fifth Munster under-21 title in succession.
“These young fellas have given a huge effort, they’re fantastic footballers,” added Ó Sé. “They will be fantastic footballers for Kerry. People need a bit of patience with them and a bit of time with them and they’ll be very good. Anything we’ve asked them to do this year, they’ve done and then some. I’d have to shoulder most of the responsibility for all that.”
Successor
There will be no immediate rush to appoint a successor, but it would appear the way is cleared for four-time All-Ireland winner Séamus Moynihan to take over.
Moynihan came on board for this year’s campaign as a selector with Ó Sé, along with John Shanahan, and trainer Ciarán McCabe, and having also worked in an advisory role with the Kerry seniors, clearly has the credentials to take charge.
Kerry had six members of last year’s All-Ireland winning minor team graduate to the under-21 ranks, and may well be an even stronger force next year – for whoever is in charge. Cork, managed by Seán Hayes, will now face Tipperary in the Munster under-21 final, set for Wednesday, April 9th.
Cork changes
The Cork hurlers may already be safely through to the Allianz League quarter-finals, but manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy has actually strengthened his team for Sunday’s final division 1A game against Tipperary at Páirc Uí Rinn.
Forwards Alan Cadogan and Luke O’Farrell both return to the starting 15, as Barry-Murphy makes four changes to the side that beat Galway last weekend.
Cadogan and O’Farrell were in fact introduced in the second half of the 2-17 to 0-20 win, while Damien Cahalane also comes back into the defence after missing a few games with injury: Rob O’Shea also starts at left half forward. The four players dropping to the bench are William Kearney, Brian Lawton, Stephen Moylan and Paudie O’Sullivan.
Another victory for Cork would see them top Division 1A, and therefore effectively play the weakest opposition in the quarter-finals, as they will be drawn against the fourth-placed team in Division 1B.
