Six managerial changes as Kildare clubs seek Senior Football Championship glory

It has been an off-season of change for Kildare's top teams with six managerial changes for Senior Football Championship clubs.

The top two remain the same as County finalists Naas and Clane unsurprisingly stick with their respective sidelines.
However, just below them, the teams vying to enter their names into such a bracket are the likes of Sarsfieds, Celbridge and Johnstownbridge who have all seen a change in leadership.

Naas - Joe Murphy
Joe Murphy remains in place for the coming year and it’s hardly a surprise given the nature of Naas’ campaign. The Champions hardly looked out of breath in this year’s Championship with Celbridge’s defensive style in their semi-final match up posing perhaps the biggest challenge.

A style Clane tried to replicate in the final and ultimately failed to do so, giving Naas another championship win.
The kings of Kildare in football and hurling appear to have everything under control when it comes to their team and what they want to implement on the field, and unsurprisingly they will be carrying that over into next year with the same staff.

Athy - Vinnie Walsh
No change on the sideline for Athy for their next campaign. Vinnie Walsh and his side showed promise early in the year by reaching the Division one league final and coming up short against Naas in a cracking game. However, the Championship run was less convincing.

After progressing past Clogherinkoe to reach the semi-final stage, Athy put in a poor showing against young hotshots Clane who’s exciting style was in stark contrast to that of their opponents.
A huge loss to Walsh’s squad at the business end of the Championship was star midfielder Kevin Feely, the county man was in superb form before rupturing his achilles tendon.
An injury that hurt Athy’s chances this year and will likely carry over into a headache for Glenn Ryan next year too.

Sarsfields - Pat Flanagan
Pat Flanagan has been appointed to succeed Davy Burke who led The Sash for 2022. Flanagan is a former Westmeath, Offaly and Sligo manager and native of Clara in Offaly.

Flanagan is a vastly experienced manager between club and county, it is understood he was in contention for the Roscommon county job that ultimately went to Davy Burke, who he now replaces at Sarsfields for 2023.

Clane - Tom Cribbin

Clane have stuck with manager Tom Cribbin, who led his young side to the Championship final this year. The former Westmeath manager did so in some style too with the fast and enthralling style of play being the talk of this year’s Championship.

The hype could not have been higher before their final showdown with Naas and after much discussion with the media about how they would not adjust their style fans were expecting an exciting clash.

However, Clane opted for 15-men behind the ball to keep Naas quiet and following a flat 1-12 to 0-6 loss many were left disappointed to the uninspiring end to a brilliant year for Clane football.

St. Laurence's - Kevin Doogue

It was a fresh appointment for the Larries for their upcoming campaign as they announced the appointment of Kevin Doogue as their new Senior football manager.

Doogue is the former Senior Ladies football manager of his native Laois but arrives at his new post following a four-year stint at his home club Graiguecullen. St Laurence’s have entrusted one of the top up-and-coming young managers in Laois to take them to the next level.

The new boss will be accompanied by former Laois inter-county footballer Greg Ramsbottom who will be part of his coaching team. Ramsbottom is from the Stradbally and brings a wealth of experience with him.

Maynooth - Declan McCabe

Maynooth have gone with former Naas manager Declan McCabe as their Senior football manager for the third successive year. McCabe was also Naas boss back in 2017 and boasts five Cavan Senior Club titles as a player.
McCabe managed of the Summerhill Senior football team that won the Meath County Championship in 2011 and 2013 and was a selector on the Meath senior team for many years.
He takes over a side with some stars scattered across the squad and he will be hoping to make the most of those big players and characters.

Clogherinkoe - Mark Murnaghan
Clogherinkoe have appointed Mark Murnaghan, the Moorefield man has been involved in management with various clubs in recent years, as well as successfully managing Wicklow Ladies and Kildare Ladies. In 2021 he managed Moorefield to the U23 ‘B’ title.

Murnaghan will be looking to bring Clogherinkoe further in next year’s Championship and the new boss will be more than pleased to be in charge of two exceptional forwards in Jack Robinson and Cian McMonagle.

Robinson finished the 2022 Kildare Senior Football Championship with 2-24 to his name with McMonagle amassing 2-21, leaving them joint second and fourth on the overall Championship scoring list. Robinson’s contribution left him level with the Clane duo of Shane O’Sullivan and Brian McLoughlin in the scoring charts and ahead of Naas star Darragh Kirwan. Encouraging numbers for any new boss to see.

Eadestown - Dessie Brennan

Eadestown have stuck with Dessie Brennan for their 2023 campaign and if you attended Eadestown games it is easy to see why. Eadestown were in a tough group winners group for the 2022 Championship, with Naas, Athy and Maynooth. On paper, only getting one draw from a Maynooth game that they were the better side in doesn’t look exceptional but Eadestown punched well above their weight in those other two encounters and there is plenty to build on for Dessie Brennan.

Eadestown’s standout performer last year was undoubtedly Jack Sargent. The energetic centre-back cleaned up possession and drove his team up the field countless times in the Championship. That gaining of ground was invaluable to allowing his side to counter-attack when their backs were against the wall. For his stellar efforts, Jack Sargent was named in Glenn Ryan’s O’Byrne Cup squad and started their first game with Wexford as Kildare began their 2023 season.
Eadestown and Dessie Brennan will be looking to improve on last year’s Championship efforts, where they reached the preliminary knockout round, losing out to Johnstownbridge.

Celbridge - Micheál McDermott
Celbridge have appointed former Clare manager Micheál McDermott for the upcoming season. Celbridge will no doubt be hoping McDermott, a native of Cavan, is the man to push this talented squad to the next level and a County final. And recent signs that he could be that man are good, the Cavan native has been at Wolfe Tones in Meath for the last three years, leading them to Senior Championship glory last year. Certainly a potentially exciting appointment and Celbridge will be once again a team to keep an eye on next year.

Ballyteague - Michael Ennis

Michael Ennis will take charge of Ballyteague for the 2023 campaign which will now include a Senior Football Championship run following their Intermediate Championship win in 2022. It was a fairytale story for The Larks as they were fired to the title by their star man Jimmy Hyland.

The little magician was instrumental in the Championship win and kicked over 50 points for his side in the campaign. But he was far from the only contributor as Brian ‘Hopper’ McGrath did the business from long range time and time again for his side.

Another star at the top of the field was young Fionn Murphy whose electrifying pace and ability to beat a man was present throughout their incredible season. All these players and more made Ballyteague a brilliant team to watch in 2022.

We got an insight into the task at Michael Ennis’ feet in the Leinster Championship last year as Ballyteague set up to defend and counter a strong Dunshaughlin side, who are, in truth, of Senior football pedigree in Meath.

Ballyteague had great joy for much of the game but ultimately came up short. However, there were plenty of encouraging signs for the future in regards to how The Larks will deal with a higher quality of opposition in Senior Championship football next year. It will no doubt be one of the most interesting elements of next year’s Championship to see how Michael Ennis and his newly promoted side get on.

Johnstownbridge - Paddy O’Donoghue

Johnstownbridge confirmed former county star and JTB player Paddy O’Donoghue as their manager for 2023 and he takes the reins of what is always one of the most confusing puzzles of the teams in the Kildare Championship.

The ‘Bridge go between flattering to deceive and stunning brilliance with incredible frequency and if there was anything on the new boss’ plate it would be to find a consistent level of performance with what is an undeniably talented group.

The typically constant Cribbin's’ and Daniel Flynn are just some of the standout names. The latter divides opinion but there is no doubt that be it club or inter-county football, Daniel Flynn can change a game on his own. Plenty to ponder to get the best from his new squad for Paddy O’Donoghue.

Confey - Joe Keogh
No change on the sideline for Confey as Joe Keogh remains in charge for the 2023 season. Confey survived the dreaded relegation final in 2022 as they beat Round Towers 1-10 to 0-8 to maintain their Senior status.

On the basis of performance it was little surprise to see Confey in such a game but manager Joe Keogh will be hoping to have his side breathing a little easier come September time in 2023.

Confey will be realistic in their ambitions and maintaining Senior status for the ageing outfit will be imperative as they look to potentially freshen up their options for the future of the squad.

Raheens - Alan Cullagh

Raheens manager for the 2023 season will be Alan Cullagh. Following a disappointing Championship season in which they failed to make their way out of an admittedly tough group, making the knockout stages will undoubtedly be a priority for Cullagh for the upcoming campaign.

Raheens finished bottom of Celbridge, Sarsfields and Clane group, only losing to the eventual finalists Clane by a point in the opening game.

That being said, with the scoring power of Rob Thompson and county player Paddy Woodgate at your disposal going forward, the ambitions should be much higher for Raheens. Those are just two names that have been pulled from what is certainly a talented squad with a host of minors coming through.

Moorefield - Ger Brennan

After months of rumours swirling around former Dublin defender Ger Brennan moving to Monaghan to occupy their Senior management position, Brennan will remain on the Moorefield sideline for the 2023 season.

There were slight concerns of a potential relegation play-off going into Moorefield's final group game but the tight group meant they snuck through into the knockout stages via a preliminary quarter-final.
That prelim-round fixture would prove fruitless as they went out to local rivals Sarsfields.

A more convincing season would most certainly be welcomed by the Moorefield faithful as on top of dis-
appointing results were far from a thrilling watch to boot. A fine win for the U23s in the 'B' Championship gave the club a much-needed boost.

Carbury - Ronan Quinn

Carbury will remain with Ronan Quinn as the man in charge for their 2023 season. Carbury exited the 2022 Kildare Championship in the group stages following a final day loss to Johnstownbridge. It was an entertaining game, as was to be expected, and Carbury can consider themselves unlucky to exit in what was an undoubtedly chaotic loser's group.
Quinn has something to work with however and Carbury at times showed potential to upset the apple cart.

Quinn’s side had Athy on the ropes in their encounter early in the season but ultimately fell short. Perhaps similar to the job to be done in Johnstownbridge, a consistent level of performance would be welcomed by fans.

The potential is there and with County goalkeeper and club all-rounder Aaron O’Neill, who hit 2-2 against the Bridge, there is potential for some quality elements of a decent side.

Kilcock - Davy Dalton

Kilcock have appointed club and former county stalwart Davy Dalton as their new boss.
The Kilcock native and former full-back and his family are synonymous with the club.

Dalton also has a Leinster Senior Football title with the Lilywhites and an All Star award to his name. That elite experience and good feeling about a club legend will no doubt bring positivity to this Kilcock outfit

He joins a Kilcock side coming off an under-whelming campaign but they have some promising elements to their side moving forward that will excite the new manager. Chief of which is young midfielder Shane Farrell, who despite his side’s general low scoring was a talismanic figure in midfield for Kilcock.

Farrell amassed an incredible 0-18 in Kilcock’s short campaign and despite the early exit finished 11th in the overall scoring charts for the Kildare Senior Championship.

Farrell was exceptional in his scoring and was immense in general play last year and will undoubtedly be the centrepiece around which this team is built for years to come.