www.uibhfhaili.com

faithfulfanatic wrote: ↑Sun Dec 28, 2025 2:22 pm Barry Whelahan staying with Birr.
Laffan kept on in KK, Hughie Hannon in as coach.
Paul Cuddy from Castletown over Coolderry.
Rynaghs sticking with Arien Delaney.
Paul Murphy from Birr is out in Belmont, David Kenny leading an internal management.
Treacy from Portumna in Ballinamere.
Breeder Mullins in Lusmagh.
Shane Hand in Tullamore.
Haven’t heard on Kinnitty or Shinrone.

In Senior B, Brian Troy training Seir Kieran.
Former Connacht rugby player Shane Delahunt involved with his native Carrig-Riverstown.
Ned Casey over Clodiagh Gaels with Stephen Corcoran from Coolderry as coach.

With ref to comment in previous post, i'd be slow about going down this route without knowing things as facts. KK are a big club with plenty of money i'd imagine. Money isnt always the solution though. You have to get the right people. Hannon is a decent coach and is an outsider and would be offered a few quid to train teams. Laffan as manager will need strong people with him and Hannon will likely carry the training while Laffan is with Tipperary for most of the year. KK is not an easy job in my opinion. Huge expectation but also huge competition for places that creates its own problems for management. Being honest, I dont think they are too far ahead of chasing pack. Their best young players are great stickmen and skillful on a dry day but they are still heavily reliant on Mahon, Kilmartin, Kiely, Gorman, Grogan to win dirty ball also Slevin in goals - and some of these are closer to 40 that 30. I'd say only Charlie Mitchell of the young lads are big game changers that have big physical presence from the younger group. They also have a lot of hurling done at a very young age and will they stick at it with same intensity as they hit 23-24-25 when life and work circumstances change somewhat and travel/ life experiences beyond hurling etc may become an opportunity for them. That cohort of 6 big leaders have been carrying a heavy load over last 3 years or so and they wont keep going forever, but the strong expectation of success in KK will remain which will make it difficult for these young players if they don't win. Yea they'll have lads coming through but I dont see anyone of the influence of Conor Mahon or Cillian Kiely as 17 year olds coming to replace them very soon. They won with a fairly strong U14 team this year and they might have to wait for some of these to come through to replace those big leaders.

Interesting to see the various names on management tickets for coming year. Some clubs obviously throwing money at it big time. I think the best clubs are the ones that have a good knowledgeable local manager that knows the scene and then buy in the bits of expertise in terms of S&C and coaching where needed. Some of these clubs are throwing anywhere between 10k-25k and possibly upwards on competing in an Offaly senior championship with little chance of winning. Are they getting best value for money? Not sure they are and some of that dosh (maybe not all) is probably best spent in a different way in my opinion. Some managers have decent track records of winning but may have been result of just striking lucky with a group that was primed to win before they took over.

The best measure of a coach is what they can do with an average team or can they get a perceived weak team to be competitive. For me, it is how much a team improves is the measure of a good coach, not what they win or whether they reach a final or not. If you look across that list, you'd have to select Shane Hand as one of the better ones given he won 2 championships with very young KK team, before player power possibly became a factor in removing him. He won Intermediate with Ballinamere and possibly a Senior B also and has got Tullamore very competitive in 2025. Don't know the man from Adam, but they'd be the kinds of things I'd be looking at if bringing someone into a club. Treacy is a big name in hurling terms of years gone by and Ballinamere will expect big things. Did well with a stacked Portumna team many years ago and very strong Kildangan group but questions out there if he can improve Ballinamere to mount serious challenge. He was involved with Brian Lohan in Clare for a year too I believe in one of his first years in charge. Ballinamere were certainly way off mark in 2025 for whatever reason. Whelahan is a steady hand in Birr and has done very well in improving them and they were fierce close this year. Others like younger lads in D Kenny and S Corcoran starting out on journey come from good playing background but they will learn a lot as they cut their teeth in managing and coaching, even if they have experience lads helping them. Delaney has been around Offaly a good while now and will be buzzing for more after Camross camogie success but will he be able to get a final kick from ageing Rynaghs. They should have been in co final in 2024 but fell away badly in 2025. Shinrone appointment will be interesting if they opt for change as they are a team that are capable of winning championship.

Lusmagh had great 2025 but senior is a big jump and they will do well to keep status. Kinnity will be contenders to drop too and both will see likes of Tullamore and possibly Rynaghs within their sights for a scalp. I think C&R could make another hop to senior in 2026 which would be huge for them and they have some good quality young lads coming to add in to help keep them up and be competitive at senior if they can get up there in next year or two.


Long time since I heard any news on football manager front. With many positions unfilled up to recently, has anyone got any new developments on big ball management roles?

faithfulfanatic wrote: ↑Sun Dec 28, 2025 2:22 pm Barry Whelahan staying with Birr.
Laffan kept on in KK, Hughie Hannon in as coach.
Paul Cuddy from Castletown over Coolderry.
Rynaghs sticking with Arien Delaney.
Paul Murphy from Birr is out in Belmont, David Kenny leading an internal management.
Treacy from Portumna in Ballinamere.
Breeder Mullins in Lusmagh.
Shane Hand in Tullamore.
Haven’t heard on Kinnitty or Shinrone.

In Senior B, Brian Troy training Seir Kieran.
Former Connacht rugby player Shane Delahunt involved with his native Carrig-Riverstown.
Ned Casey over Clodiagh Gaels with Stephen Corcoran from Coolderry as coach.

Biggest surprise there is Murphy gone from Belmont.

They had a very good year relative to 2024 and to expectations.

Has he moved on himself? Surely they would’ve kept him.

Anonymous1 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 28, 2025 8:52 pm

faithfulfanatic wrote: ↑Sun Dec 28, 2025 2:22 pm Barry Whelahan staying with Birr.
Laffan kept on in KK, Hughie Hannon in as coach.
Paul Cuddy from Castletown over Coolderry.
Rynaghs sticking with Arien Delaney.
Paul Murphy from Birr is out in Belmont, David Kenny leading an internal management.
Treacy from Portumna in Ballinamere.
Breeder Mullins in Lusmagh.
Shane Hand in Tullamore.
Haven’t heard on Kinnitty or Shinrone.

In Senior B, Brian Troy training Seir Kieran.
Former Connacht rugby player Shane Delahunt involved with his native Carrig-Riverstown.
Ned Casey over Clodiagh Gaels with Stephen Corcoran from Coolderry as coach.

Biggest surprise there is Murphy gone from Belmont.

They had a very good year relative to 2024 and to expectations.

Has he moved on himself? Surely they would’ve kept him.

I think he was moved on, word in Belmont was that they were doing well in spite of, rather than because of Paul.
I can’t remember the name but a Dicksboro man living in Offaly who was involved with Kilcormac Senior Bs before was doing the training with Belmont last year and was the main man.

I've heard the ex Belmont mgt were not "moved on" rather they stepped away much to the surprise of Belmont. Could be wrong on that and i stand to be corrected on that. They were a lot better this year than 2024. Murphy seems to be fairly successful wherever he manages. Clodaigh gaels, carrig and this year with Belmont.

private joker wrote: ↑Sun Dec 28, 2025 11:06 pm I've heard the ex Belmont mgt were not "moved on" rather they stepped away much to the surprise of Belmont. Could be wrong on that and i stand to be corrected on that. They were a lot better this year than 2024. Murphy seems to be fairly successful wherever he manages. Clodaigh gaels, carrig and this year with Belmont.

I also heard that. Belmont management were offered the chance to come back en masse and surprisingly at the last second declined the offer.

I heard no reasons why but one would assume player access must be an issue.

White Smoke from a few clubs on the football side, GD taking the Ferbane job seems a nice fit, I know he's thought highly of within the club by young and old. Personally think its a step forward for them. Raff was great and got as best he could, Maybe GD will go one step further time will tell.

On the Ballycommon front they have opted for Shane Kelly (EX Durrow). Interesting choice. His success with Durrow would not have been super but I think its safe to say from the outside looking in he was never given a fair crack at it as player commitment seemed to be a huge issue. I for one hopes all goes well and wish SK all the best.

Had a chat with a man in the local the other night member of his family is well in the loop with Durrow. He was as able to tell me they had Shane Curran lined up with a great backroom team behind him. Curran agreed to get involved but some members of the committee kicked up fuss seemingly. Now their struggling to get anyone can only imagine down to the history of last year. One would have to think if this is the case its a very silly move on Durrow's behalf. (Don't quote me on this the man had a few brandy and ports on board, but generally a real straight talker). Maybe Durrowboy17 can confirm.

Shane Curran has got a tune out of a lot of sides and there's no doubt that he is very positive and quite astute, but I don't think I'm speaking out of turn when I say that there are a lot of club and county teams where they've found him to be hard work too, and it hasn't worked out.

Given that he worked with Durrow before, they know what he's like. If they decided he's not a good fit for them, then I'd respect that, I wouldn't be castigating them for it.

Lone Shark wrote: ↑Wed Jan 07, 2026 5:46 pm Shane Curran has got a tune out of a lot of sides and there's no doubt that he is very positive and quite astute, but I don't think I'm speaking out of turn when I say that there are a lot of club and county teams where they've found him to be hard work too, and it hasn't worked out.

Given that he worked with Durrow before, they know what he's like. If they decided he's not a good fit for them, then I'd respect that, I wouldn't be castigating them for it.

Id have to agree with you on some points Lone Shark, but it did seem he got a good tune out of them Durrow lads, They were firing on all cylinders the year he was with them if I remember correctly. They won the championship that year it was suggested they wouldn't have won it without him even when he let them down for the final. Correct me if I'm wrong but from what i gathered and read back then there was a lot of factors in him leaving. IE Players training a few nights before testing positive for covid before the final, Disagreement with the county board ect.

I'm sure some for and some against him but in reality they more or less won a championship under him. I remember this quite well as I was involved with a senior B team and the time and tactically they were flawless and extremely well driven. In saying that Senior A and B are two total different kettle of fish.

Time will tell was it the right call for them in their selection of a manager but one things for sure they need an experienced fella and a total by in from all players to achieve what they are capable of. They have the talent to compete at the top IMO.

Anyone hear anything else on the football front.

Shane Curran was with Doon for a short while. Have to say I was hugely impressed by him. And he did very well with a team that was depleted with injuries that year.

Have heard no more than what is here. Good that Georgie is taking on Ferbane. He has done a good bit of ground work on underage and also developed himself at adult level and deserves a fair shot. I'd sense though he will need a real tight group with him in management group with such competition for places in Ferbane and family links etc, can be hard manage as an insider.

Shane Kelly in Ballycommon is interesting. Theyve been fairly successful in recent times and will be expecting a good level of organisation to progress. There is talent in Ballycommon and they have very good forwards potentially with Kenny's, Sean Conway, Conneely and Conor Dunne all very good club footballers. They are just very tight on numbers but if they have everyone fit and firing they are capable of making a semi final potentially if draw falls for them. Should have made semi final in 2024 when losing to Shamrocks on penalties.

SC was a disaster by all accounts in Carlow and was gone after a few league games after player revolt, and while that is different level, he seems to court controversy in lots of places. Durrow players went against his wishes last time and decided to play that final if I recall correctly and won it convincingly. What I have heard from one of those players is that Owen Mooney was the brains behind that operation when they won Senior B. He works with Dublin GAA and is a very good coach and has done brilliantly since obviously with St Brigids and with Caulry before that. Same player said there has been big changes at board level in Durrow in recent times and while I don't know much else about Currans potential involvement or otherwise, I'd sense there may be a few players that may not want him back. Will be an interesting one either way to see how it falls.

Any word on Edenderry or Clonbullogue or anyone else down through the grades in terms of managerial changes?

FullForward waster wrote: ↑Wed Jan 07, 2026 5:08 pm White Smoke from a few clubs on the football side, GD taking the Ferbane job seems a nice fit, I know he's thought highly of within the club by young and old. Personally think its a step forward for them. Raff was great and got as best he could, Maybe GD will go one step further time will tell.

Who is GD?

Doon Exile wrote: ↑Wed Jan 07, 2026 10:53 pm

FullForward waster wrote: ↑Wed Jan 07, 2026 5:08 pm White Smoke from a few clubs on the football side, GD taking the Ferbane job seems a nice fit, I know he's thought highly of within the club by young and old. Personally think its a step forward for them. Raff was great and got as best he could, Maybe GD will go one step further time will tell.

Who is GD?

Georgie Digan Junior, from Ferbane.

Training Sallins this year who seem a serious outfit.
Building an impressive CV for himself, future IC manager/coach.

jimbob17 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 07, 2026 10:51 pm Have heard no more than what is here. Good that Georgie is taking on Ferbane. He has done a good bit of ground work on underage and also developed himself at adult level and deserves a fair shot. I'd sense though he will need a real tight group with him in management group with such competition for places in Ferbane and family links etc, can be hard manage as an insider.

Shane Kelly in Ballycommon is interesting. Theyve been fairly successful in recent times and will be expecting a good level of organisation to progress. There is talent in Ballycommon and they have very good forwards potentially with Kenny's, Sean Conway, Conneely and Conor Dunne all very good club footballers. They are just very tight on numbers but if they have everyone fit and firing they are capable of making a semi final potentially if draw falls for them. Should have made semi final in 2024 when losing to Shamrocks on penalties.

SC was a disaster by all accounts in Carlow and was gone after a few league games after player revolt, and while that is different level, he seems to court controversy in lots of places. Durrow players went against his wishes last time and decided to play that final if I recall correctly and won it convincingly. What I have heard from one of those players is that Owen Mooney was the brains behind that operation when they won Senior B. He works with Dublin GAA and is a very good coach and has done brilliantly since obviously with St Brigids and with Caulry before that. Same player said there has been big changes at board level in Durrow in recent times and while I don't know much else about Currans potential involvement or otherwise, I'd sense there may be a few players that may not want him back. Will be an interesting one either way to see how it falls.

Any word on Edenderry or Clonbullogue or anyone else down through the grades in terms of managerial changes?

GD is a good appointment, as you said family links ect wont be easy but id imagine he's their to win a championship with them and no one will see it that way within the group If friends manage to be dropped or family. He is highly thought of over their. Be interesting to see how all plans out.

In regards to SK appointment he could be the perfect fit. It was time for Ballycommon to have a freshen up as Egan seemed to get the best out of them what he could. Be interesting to see how it goes as player availability wont be a huge issue as what seemed to be in Durrow. If I was a betting man id say Ballycommon will come out of group two this year, and as you said above possible semi final if the ball fell right for them.

Have to agree with you SC seemed to not go down well with Carlow but id wonder is there more to it than meets the eye?? Possibly not but seemed to be 3 sides SC side, County Boards side and the player. Id say the truth is in between all 3 stories. I was chatting 2 Durrow men (Current Players) while getting a coffee this morning and struck up the conversation. They suggested SC was a good fit and they played the final without him as a team they believed they had the work done to win it. Also said they were fairly p*ssed off that Curran wasn't given another chance, with no other manager in place.
Did Durrow committee miss a beat here?? who knows time will tell.

I have heard Edenderry are in talks with a few but are struggling also at the same time. Find it hard to believe they are struggling as league champs and Semi final last year. (even if the simi final was a complete meltdown). I would only imagine some fellas would be happy to take them on as they seem to be almost title contenders. With the right man over them who knows how far they could go.

Nothing on Clonbullogue

Dont know for certain with Clonbullogue but it is clear that there are challenges in getting managers.
I heard a few names mentioned but that Mark Daly has agreed to takeover there as they were struggling.

Barry Weldon (Bracknagh) taking over in Daingean.

Hard to comment on Curran as to be fair there was a fair bit happened at the time of that final, and for him not to attend would be hard to take for Committee members.

Adrian Farrell is the Edenderry Manager. Good appointment
Edenderry mite not be as strong next year and will probably be very young with a raft of retirements and lads travelling but Adrian Farrell will get the best out of what he will have.
Georgie Digan was always gonna take the Ferbane job at some stage obviously rated in Ferbane but haven come across him when he Offaly minor manager I wouldn’t be so sure but that’s a good few yrs ago and he has probably learned a lot in Sallins.
Ger Rafferty is a hard act to follow he was very close to winning championships.
With all the appointments it’s still very hard see beyond Tullamore Ferbane again been the 2 top dogs. From the chasing pack maybe Shamrocks look best equipped to mount a challenge