County Manager Merry go round

[Bord na Mona man]

That's not a massive surprise. Harte was brought in 2025 to bolster Declan Kelly, because two years ago there was a similar situation with poor results and some disgruntlement amongst the players.

In fairness 2025 went better than expected with both men in charge. Promotion to division 2, almost a Leinster championship win over Meath where Offaly had built up a 10 point lead at halftime.
2026 was a different story though. Losing all their league matches, a tame Leinster exit to Leix, eventually a five point Tailteann loss to Wicklow, having been eight points up at half time.

The top table in the county seemed up for keeping them, but a bit of deeper digging would have shown a lot of clubs and players not keen on keeping the arrangement in place.

Strange one. Listening to Louth players talking about Harte and he really got huge buy in from the best players in the county and galvanised them with belief that they could kick on to that next level and compete. Strange that Offaly didn't get the same buy in especially after a good 2025.

There were some factors at play. Declan Kelly has a reputation for being uncompromising and in 2024 some players departed from the panel due to that fraction. The players made a good fist of putting him under the bus with a monumental loss to London in the Tailteann. More were set to quit by the end of that year, which is why Mickey was brought along.
 
While 2025 was a successful year, there was a reluctance to use the bench by Mickey and Declan, leaving more players to eventually depart due to lack of game time.
In 2026 the injuries mounted and then the shallowness of the panel became a problem. Some of the injuries started to clear up and there were green shoots in the Tailteann, but the huge collapse to Wicklow ended the prospects of them staying on.

[Captain Obvious]

That's not a massive surprise. Harte was brought in 2025 to bolster Declan Kelly, because two years ago there was a similar situation with poor results and some disgruntlement amongst the players.

In fairness 2025 went better than expected with both men in charge. Promotion to division 2, almost a Leinster championship win over Meath where Offaly had built up a 10 point lead at halftime.
2026 was a different story though. Losing all their league matches, a tame Leinster exit to Leix, eventually a five point Tailteann loss to Wicklow, having been eight points up at half time.

The top table in the county seemed up for keeping them, but a bit of deeper digging would have shown a lot of clubs and players not keen on keeping the arrangement in place.

Strange one. Listening to Louth players talking about Harte and he really got huge buy in from the best players in the county and galvanised them with belief that they could kick on to that next level and compete. Strange that Offaly didn't get the same buy in especially after a good 2025.

There were some factors at play. Declan Kelly has a reputation for being uncompromising and in 2024 some players departed from the panel due to that fraction. The players made a good fist of putting him under the bus with a monumental loss to London in the Tailteann. More were set to quit by the end of that year, which is why Mickey was brought along.
 
While 2025 was a successful year, there was a reluctance to use the bench by Mickey and Declan, leaving more players to eventually depart due to lack of game time.
In 2026 the injuries mounted and then the shallowness of the panel became a problem. Some of the injuries started to clear up and there were green shoots in the Tailteann, but the huge collapse to Wicklow ended the prospects of them staying on.

London 2-20 Offaly 0-12 in O'Connor Park that was as rock bottom as it gets and clearly all not well behind the scenes when a result on your home patch like that happens.

Out of interest how many of the Offaly U20 All Ireland winners from 2021 are now considered established Seniors players?

[Blowitupref]

Kieran McGeeney to remain as Armagh manager. Unanimous support from clubs, will be his 13th year in charge in 2027.

[Armagh18]

Kieran McGeeney to remain as Armagh manager. Unanimous support from clubs, will be his 13th year in charge in 2027.

Lucky 13 hopefully

[Rossfan]

2 recent hurley stuff appointments
Derek McGrath in Wexford and Michael McShane in Antrim.

[imtommygunn]

Didn't know the Derek McGrath one - that's an interesting one. McShane will hopefully do well. Success would be hopefully winning the McDonagh and retaining division 1b status.

[Rossfan]

On the football front who's going to go/be pushed?
McGuinness, Derry, Monaghan, Galway,Down,Kildare?
If Kerry win might Jack step down?.

[doh827]

On the football front who's going to go/be pushed?
McGuinness, Derry, Monaghan, Galway,Down,Kildare?
If Kerry win might Jack step down?.

I reckon jack will go regardless of the result. The only thing that stopped him from stepping down after last season was that he never did two in row l.

[Armagh18]

On the football front who's going to go/be pushed?
McGuinness, Derry, Monaghan, Galway,Down,Kildare?
If Kerry win might Jack step down?.

I reckon jack will go regardless of the result. The only thing that stopped him from stepping down after last season was that he never did two in row l.

Three in a row has a nicer ring to it though...

[NotedObserver]

On the football front who's going to go/be pushed?
McGuinness, Derry, Monaghan, Galway,Down,Kildare?
If Kerry win might Jack step down?.

I reckon jack will go regardless of the result. The only thing that stopped him from stepping down after last season was that he never did two in row l.

Three in a row has a nicer ring to it though...

Is it thought Jack would go? Had the feeling he sees an opening to win a few in a row here

[Armagh18]

On the football front who's going to go/be pushed?
McGuinness, Derry, Monaghan, Galway,Down,Kildare?
If Kerry win might Jack step down?.

I reckon jack will go regardless of the result. The only thing that stopped him from stepping down after last season was that he never did two in row l.

Three in a row has a nicer ring to it though...

Is it thought Jack would go? Had the feeling he sees an opening to win a few in a row here

He was strongly rumoured to be going last year after the final and whether he had change of heart or was coaxed back I don't know. Haven't heard any rumours this year. Donaghy and Tomas O'Se both strong candidates if he did go.

[screenexile]

On the football front who's going to go/be pushed?
McGuinness, Derry, Monaghan, Galway,Down,Kildare?
If Kerry win might Jack step down?.

I don't think Derry will go for 5 different managers in 5 years! Maybe a shake up of the backroom team.

Surely Bannigan stays with Monaghan?? He has a 3 year term I think.

[Rossfan]

Heard a few Monaghan bucks saying it was time for him to go.
Maybe they were just the usual few whinge merchants every County has.

[galwayman]

Lots of talk around Galway today that Pj is stepping down. No confirmation yet

[Armagh18]

Heard a few Monaghan bucks saying it was time for him to go.
Maybe they were just the usual few whinge merchants every County has.

Thought he done a reasonable job up until Louth. Lot of injuries early in the year but good age profile and potential there