Offaly Senior Football 2026

[jimbob17]

While I was initially frustrated by the result in the O’Byrne Cup against Westmeath, it’s important to put that game into perspective. The O’Byrne Cup is, by design, a preparatory competition, a chance for management to experiment with Teams, tactics, and player combinations. It doesn’t define the league campaign. Declan Kelly, now in his third year, and Mickey Hart, in his second, have consistently emphasized that the league is the real focus — an “all in, all out” approach. The league will be difficult, no doubt, but if the team can take points, particularly the need to be securing at least three points from the opening games against Louth and Kildare, it puts us in a difficult position. Loosing dropping both matches would undoubtedly put pressure on the squad and the management, and that reality needs to be acknowledged.
Beyond immediate results, however, a more strategic question looms over Offaly football: succession planning. Declan Kelly and Mickey Hart won’t be managers forever ,potentially not in 2027, and almost certainly not in 2028. That raises crucial questions: who is next in line for the Offaly senior management job? Do we look internally, promoting someone familiar with the squad and club culture, or externally, seeking fresh ideas and a new approach? Are there internal candidates with the necessary experience, vision, and credibility to step up? Probably Not!!!!
The trend in both Offaly senior football and hurling has been to build strong backroom teams — not always necessarily large in numbers ( hurling), but significant in reputation ( football), experience, and influence. Is that the model we intend to continue for football? If so, identifying and the next senior management team, and ensuring continuity while fostering development, becomes essential. Succession planning is not just about picking a name; it’s about creating a structure that maintains standards, enhances coaching, and develops players effectively.
In summary, while it’s easy to react emotionally to a single game, the O’Byrne Cup should be seen as part of the broader strategic picture. Our focus must remain on taking points early in the league, supporting the current management, and simultaneously planning for the future to ensure Offaly football remains competitive and sustainable beyond the current leadership.

Interesting post Tmac. The current management could be coming to the end of the line at the end of this year possibly (depending on how they fare I'd imagine) and I think you are right in mentioning importance of succession planning. It hasn't been something we have been good at with selectors and coaches pulled in from all angles to be over our senior teams in particular - many that came from small knowledge bases in that they came from other counties very often. The result was that we rarely had the best lads on the panel let alone the team and I'd question the credentials of some of the outsiders that have been brought in to coach (not manage) Offaly teams over last 10 years or more.

I'll come from this from perspective of who I'd think could offer value in backroom team either as coaches / selectors first. There may be some that may emerge from this group that could manage but if not and 'Outside Man' is next man up as a manager, I think the following definitely have good idea about steering it the right way from selector / coach / backroom perspective.

In no particular order, I think the following locally based lads would have a good bit to offer.
Niall Stack won 3 championships with Tullamore and helped club win couple of U20s and was involved in CBS winning schools too. Has been involved in background with other clubs and other counties too and would have finger on pulse.
Benny O'Brien has done very well with Ballinagar obviously and was involved with Offaly at minor level so knows some of crew coming through. More importantly though he managed St Brigids to win a Connaught Club not that long ago and has good football brain and plenty of experience.
Pat Flanagan - CV speaks for itself and has won plenty of championships at club level and done well enough at inter county level too with Westmeath and Sligo. Got Offaly out of Div 4 previously under the old county board which was an achievement in itself when you look back at the shitshow they were operating in.
Paschal Kellaghan has gone outside county to Westmeath and Kildare and developed and is back in Rhode with lots of experience. Did the minor and U21 roles before and would know the scene.
James Stewart - Also gone outside the county managing senior teams in Westmeath and Laois and was involved last time Offaly got to Leinster senior final (2006) as selector and managed U21s to Leinster final in 2017. Won Senior B in Laois last year with Emo. Would have done dev squad work on the teams that produced Cormac Egan, John Furlong, Keith O'Neill etc and knows the scene.
Steven Darby - 1982. Done all he did with Rhode. Disgrace he was never asked to manage Offaly Seniors. Say no more!
Cathal Daly - Involved with U20s, Tullamore recent success and managed Ballycumber too I think. All-Star. Has forgotten more about defending than most ever learned. Would know the local scene and who is where.
Colm Quinn - Managed own club, involved with Tullamore success in 23/24 and U20s too. 1998. Great player, good brain, Knows football and also knows the scene.
Ger Rafferty - has done well with Ferbane. Possibly didnt get as much credit as he deserved for the U20 All-Ireland. Played at the top level too and wouldn't tolerate too much nonsense and knows scene very well given recent involvements.
Keith Begley - Managed senior football club teams outside the county and won Senior B in Laois also in 2025. Managed Offaly minors, Shamrocks seniors and was trainer with Offaly senior team in 2006. Trained Tullamore to a co final and been involved in other successes in other counties background teams. eg Cuala hurlers All irelands, Carlow hurlers Joe McDonagh's and Clare footballers etc. Pe teacher and would know the scene.
Ken Furlong - Had minors in Leinster final and U20 manager for couple of years - lots of playing experience and big influence in Tullamore success in recent times - over any amount of U20 teams who won championships and would know lie of land. Possibly reluctant to get involved if sons / sons involved.
John Murray Ballycumber - currently involved with St Brigids in All Ireland final with Anthony Cunningham and was involved when Tullamore won a championship in mid 2010's. Did well with Ballycumber as a manager when there also.
John Rouse - Won championship with Tullamore, won B with Clara and good head for it. Had successes at schools level, was involved in dev squads too and won few championships as a player. Involved few years ago with brother when Wallace left / sacked mid season.
Phil Reilly - Has been involved with Tullamore (won championship), Shamrocks, St Brigids in Roscommon and would have good idea of the local scene. Also got minors to Leinster finals with Tom Coffey - who also deserves mention here. Both would have good handle on the scene.
Jack Kilmurray - largely responsible for Clonbullogue success winning Leinster Junior and getting up to Senior A. Did it all as a player with Rhode and would also know the scene very well.
Eoin Carroll - former player, Coaching in schools / PE teacher and would know the scene at senior A and B team. Maybe bit soon for him in terms of adult coaching but will offer lot to Offaly football in future.
Steven Lonergan - U20 and minor coach for number of years and also with Tullamore in 2026. Former player, has broadened horizons beyond Offaly too I believe in LGFA with Tipperary. Also a PE teacher in Banagher with good bit to offer.
Nigel Dunne - recent retiree but wont be long before he is involved in some level with seniors. Needs to put time distance I think for 3-4 years to lads he played with but stepping into U20s for couple years will help. Taking Shamrocks this year will be learning curve but the experience will serve him well going forward. Knows scene very well.
Joe Quinn - well respected S&C coach, Has been involved with Westmeath and Sligo seniors and loads of club teams and Offaly U20 All Ireland hurling success - and is former county footballer and would also know the scene well.
Conor McNamee - still playing but worth a mention - well got s&c coach by all accounts and will offer lots going forwards when he retires.
Brian Darby - Got max from himself as a player and had big influence as player with Offaly and Rhode. Has dipped his toe in coaching with U20s in recent years and will develop as he gets more experience also.
Keith Higgins - Has done most of coaching outside county and did well with both Tang and Tubberclair in Westmeath. Former county underage player from Tubber, he is a young guy with lots of experience at a relatively young age.
Adrian Farrell - currently with minors, Young man who has won intermediate with Daingean and will have good bit to offer in the future.

I may be missing a few obvious others that didnt spring to mind but likes of these would have lot to offer and should be considered for backroom or even managerial roles with the seniors or management for u20s and minors teams if they are available in future. I'd love to see a bigger Offaly Brains Trust running our teams than we have currently where you have a Tyrone and Sligo lad in 2 of the 3 management positions with Galway and Cork lads in S&C roles while there are lads in Offaly just as qualified with way more knowledge of Offaly football. Having only one Offaly man (DK) in management ticket last year and this year to me is a bit farcical. What other county would do that? Any thoughts.

[Tmacmahon]

Great post, JimBob. All of the individuals mentioned have given an enormous amount to Offaly football over the past 20 years, and in some cases 40 or 50 years. They are all deserving of respect, and their CVs certainly stand up to scrutiny.
I completely agree that every one or most of these people could offer something to Offaly in the future .whether at minor, underage, development squad, or senior level. In particular, many of the names you mentioned could definitely contribute at senior level.
I’d also love to see more Offaly people involved with our senior teams. It could help reduce the amount of money currently being spent on travel and expenses, with coaches coming from places like Tyrone, Sligo, Galway, or even surrounding counties. Even when counties are relatively close, the costs still add up.
For now, I suppose the 25th v Louth is tge be all and end all. Staying in Division 2 would be an incredible achievement and going straight back down we all know there is no guarantees as to when you bounce up again

[ah lethimoutwithit]

Great post, JimBob. All of the individuals mentioned have given an enormous amount to Offaly football over the past 20 years, and in some cases 40 or 50 years. They are all deserving of respect, and their CVs certainly stand up to scrutiny.
I completely agree that every one or most of these people could offer something to Offaly in the future .whether at minor, underage, development squad, or senior level. In particular, many of the names you mentioned could definitely contribute at senior level.
I’d also love to see more Offaly people involved with our senior teams. It could help reduce the amount of money currently being spent on travel and expenses, with coaches coming from places like Tyrone, Sligo, Galway, or even surrounding counties. Even when counties are relatively close, the costs still add up.
For now, I suppose the 25th v Louth is tge be all and end all. Staying in Division 2 would be an incredible achievement and going straight back down we all know there is no guarantees as to when you bounce up again

Agree with both posts above, all fair points.

[jimbob17]

It is mentioned above that we may save on expense by utilising Ofaly people. While that may be a shrewd thing to do, I don't think that's what we should be looking at. What we should be looking at is, can we get the best people for the job. Who knows the most and could contribute the most to Offaly stepping forward. Are these journeymen coaches that have been brought in actually better than what we have ourselves. I'd hesitate to say that they are.

In fact, I'd suggest that at least 8 or 10 of those mentioned above would be above the lads Offaly had been bringing in from outside into backroom teams over last number of years. Another 8 or 10 Offaly people who are younger or maybe with lesser experience but with lots to offer that would grow from being involved and would have way more to offer than some of these outsiders. Why are we wasting money on lads coming from God knows where, who actually, when it comes down to it, don't actually care about Offaly in the way Offaly people would care. If they are so bloody good, why are they not in high demand in the counties from where they come. Why have we such an inferiority complex about our own people. Most of these lads brought in wouldnt have been heard of much before. There are lads there on that Offaly based list with credentials coming out their ears and way above some of the lads we have brought in, and what is more, they are less concerned about their pockets and more concerned about Offaly. They know the players on the scene way more than any outsider, and believe it or not, actually give a f#ck unlike some that have been brought in from outside. So many journeyman coaches have come and gone. How many of these outside coaches have we heard of turning up trees anywhere else since they left? I really cannot think of one!

No outside manager has ever won Sam Maguire and only one has won the Liam McCarthy (Eamon Cregan) to best of my knowledge. What are we doing with success planning that will produce our best teams? Kerry will have mainly Kerry people in their backroom teams, as will Dublin Tipp and Cork etc. There might be two or three outsiders but generally, the better teams might have 10 or 15 people involved directly in a backroom team between stats, physio, S&C, and coaches etc etc and at least 80% will be from that county. Great to have Glenisk sponsorship and extra funding etc but it is also important that we spend it well and I don't think all these journeymen coaches who barely know the players and who don't really give a toss when it comes down to it, is money well spent.

[faithfulfanatic]

No outside manager has ever won Sam Maguire and only one has won the Liam McCarthy (Eamon Cregan) to best of my knowledge.

You could really do with expanding your knowledge there.

Offaly’s hurling all Ireland wins have been presided over by Dermot Healy (Kilkenny), Eamonn Cregan (Limerick) and Michael Bond (Galway).
Football winning manager Eamonn McGee is from Longford.

Crazy statement to make.

[SearingDrive]

No outside manager has ever won Sam Maguire and only one has won the Liam McCarthy (Eamon Cregan) to best of my knowledge.

You could really do with expanding your knowledge there.

Offaly’s hurling all Ireland wins have been presided over by Dermot Healy (Kilkenny), Eamonn Cregan (Limerick) and Michael Bond (Galway).
Football winning manager Eamonn McGee is from Longford.

Crazy statement to make.

Father Tom Gilhooley was manager/coach when Offaly won Sam Maguire in 1971/72. Fr. Gilhooley was a Westmeath native, and served as curate in Tullamore.

[jimbob17]

Fair enough there are small minority. But out of 135 approx All Irelands in football and 135 in hurling won, itd be less than 2% outside managers. John O Mahoney in Galway is another anomaly.

Healy was not the manager. Andy Gallagher was. Healy was the coach. Gilhooley was as good as Offaly in sense he was Offaly based and had been in county for long time and ill give you Eugene McGee also. The point remains about outsiders being successful. For point of argument, I don't have issue with outside managers but backroom team of selectors and coaches should be more local and know the players and know lie of land, particularly if manager is outsider.

I was and am delighted about Harte coming in with DK, but should be surrounded with Offaly people I think who would add to the thing. We currently have 2 of 3 management as outsiders (Tyrone and Sligo) who knew nothing about Offaly 14 months ago and both coaches / trainers are outsiders who also would have zero knowledge on Offaly football. Maughan had lads from Dublin and Longford and Galway and other places who were in same boat.

Please explain to me how does this serve Offaly well? That's the basic point.

[Superhans75]

I'm not getting into a debate about outside management ect
But often a manager sets up a team that next in line benefits from .
Famously happens a lot in soccer
You need talent and camaraderie
Sometimes the team pics itself.

[private joker]

Outside managers being good or bad is a load of BS. You swear lads were coming from a different country and learning a new language. It's not down to any particular manager in my opinion. It's down to the mgt team.

[jimbob17]

I'm not saying outside managers are good or bad either, that was never the argument....... but that having minimal Offaly involvement as it stands is not serving us well I believe. The basic point of this is that for Offaly or any other county to succeed, I think they need their own counties representation in management team - ie people involved that will know the lie of the land of club scene for obvious reasons of getting best players in to the panel and also having background knowledge on the players that may be out there. I can't think of any county bar perhaps London, where 80% of the management team are outsiders. Offaly currently have a football management where one person out of the 5 main people in management is from Offaly. The hurlers at least have a few Offaly based people involved and Gleeson would also be very familiar with local scene if considered an outsider. Any county worth it's salt that is bringing in outside manager will have at least a few people involved from said county who know the club scene.

[The bear]

Talking about outside managers? Does ANYONE think for 1 second if we get relegated and perform poorly in the championship that Declan K will loose he's job? Come on now no matter how poorly it goes he will still be manager for as long as he wants, regardless of results, regardless what players say etc. As already proven in the past. We need forget that conversation about change of managers next year let alone an outsider! On a more realistic note what should be our ambition for this year? Stay in the division leinster semi final (avoiding both louth and Dublin)and win taligan cup would be realistic for me. I hope that the westmeath game was a once off and I believe it was, we looked much better against Meath the round before

[Tmacmahon]

I think that’s a really good point. I see Declan Kelly being there for a time. Mickey Harte might not be. He could finish up at the end of this year, or possibly do one more after that, but I’d imagine that will be it. Declan, on the other hand, I can see staying for at least the next 3 years.
Yes, it’s a results driven business, but we’re not in a position where we can be overly demanding in terms of immediate success. Declan has already built up credit in the bank. He delivered an All-Ireland Under-
20 title and was part of a management team that won Division 3 within the last five years or so. Because of that, I think he’ll get more time than people think or, in some cases, more time than they would like.
Over the next few years, he’ll probably have to strengthen and refresh his management team, and that will naturally evolve. But overall, I believe he’ll stay.
So what are the expectations for this year? Ideally, staying in Division 2, if possible though that’s looking increasingly unlikely. Beating Laois in the Leinster Championship is an absolute must. Beyond that, I genuinely think the Tailteann Cup is the big target for 2026. We’re more than capable of winning it. By that stage of the year, we should have more or less a full squad available.
Ultimately, winning the Tailteann Cup will be the defining factor. That’s what will decide whether this season and the direction we’re going in is judged a success or a failure.

[Anonymous1]

Talking about outside managers? Does ANYONE think for 1 second if we get relegated and perform poorly in the championship that Declan K will loose he's job? Come on now no matter how poorly it goes he will still be manager for as long as he wants, regardless of results, regardless what players say etc. As already proven in the past. We need forget that conversation about change of managers next year let alone an outsider! On a more realistic note what should be our ambition for this year? Stay in the division leinster semi final (avoiding both louth and Dublin)and win taligan cup would be realistic for me. I hope that the westmeath game was a once off and I believe it was, we looked much better against Meath the round before

Getting relegated from division 2 (by the narrowest of margins) and performing poorly in the championship were enough to end Maughan’s reign.

Why should it be any different for Kelly?

[jimbob17]

Don't see a scenario where DK stays on beyond Hartes involvement. Do ye not remember what occurred in 2024 where we got hammered by London in OCP. There was lots of unrest among players and by all accounts, many were not going back following year until Harte arrived and the vibe changed. Id go as far as saying that if Harte had not been brought in, DK was possibly gone, such was the unrest. Maughan stint wound up after 3 yrs as many stints do. That may or may not happen at end of year. Only time will tell.

I hope we go well this year and management stay on to progress the thing but league will be difficult with injuries etc. We made progress last year and were competitive in championship and hopefully with lads returning, we are this year also. Meath Louth and Kildare all took steps last year that we need to take in next 2 yrs. If Harte and DK get best of group this year, I'd see them staying on for 27 possibly for one final year, provided Harte doesn't take up a better offer elsewhere. I'd only love them to go well and improve but I'd fear for what some of those league games will bring given depth of squad currently.

[Cheddar]

Team named for Sunday. Still a solid team, but it’ll be interesting to see how the newcomers fare.

Hopefully we get some players back soon also. Injuries have left us short of at least 5 starters in Cathal Flynn, Tierney, Dunican, Hyland, Furlong, Higgins.

Also is Aidan Bracken injured or off the panel. Haven’t heard his name mentioned at all.

I also expect Daire McDaid to start.