Jack O’Connor has stepped down as Kildare boss
The Kerry native had been in charge for the past two years, and said in a statement that the commute between South Kerry and Kildare is the main reason for stepping down.
Kildare reached the Leinster final this year, and were promoted to Division 1.
O’Connor has been linked with a return to the Kerry job.
O'Connor's statement reads:
After two challenging but very enjoyable years I have decided to step away from managing
the Kildare senior football team. This was a very difficult decision for me and one that I
agonised over during the past few weeks. I have been made feel very welcome during my
time in Kildare and I have worked with some great people up here. However, a round
journey of over eight hours from St Finans Bay to Newbridge and back takes its toll and I
felt this was unsustainable for the coming season.
I'd like to thank the Kildare County board for putting faith in me two years ago. As a
management we worked incredibly hard since then to improve the standards in Kildare. The
first year was about overhauling the panel and introducing alot of good young players and
this year was about building on that and making tangible progress. Getting promoted to
Division one was crucial for the future development of this team as was reaching a Leinster
final and giving the young players a taste of the big day. I hope that the management can
build on this and make further strides in the years ahead.
A big thank you to my backroom team who worked very hard to ensure that the Kildare
team was well prepared. Their selfless dedication was inspiring to see. Most importantly I'd
like to thank the players for the respect they showed the management and for their total
commitment to the Kildare jersey. These are a great group of young men, and the journey is
only beginning for them. I look forward to following their progress in the years ahead.
Thanks also to those who sponsor Kildare teams thus ensuring that the players have the
best environment in which to prepare and perform. The new development in St Conleths
Park and the new gym in Manguard Plus, Hawkfield will raise the standards even higher.
Finally, a big thank you to the Moorfield club for welcoming my two sons with open arms
seven years ago. It was like a home from home for them and they enjoyed a very successful
and memorable period there. They like me have returned home and that also was a factor
in my decision.
Once again thanks to everyone who helped us on this journey over the past couple of years.
It was both a privilege and a pleasure to be part of it . I look forward to following Kildare's
fortunes over the next few years and I wish them the very best for the future.
