Declan Kelly, the former manager who led the All-Ireland Under-20 team to victory, has been chosen as the new manager for the Offaly footballers.
He is taking over from Martin Murphy, who stepped down earlier this month. Murphy had assumed the role after the passing of Liam Kearns.
Kelly steered the Faithful County to their second-ever All-Ireland Under-20/21 championship in 2021, with an impressive final victory over Roscommon at Croke Park.
Hailing from Kilclonfert, Kelly has also secured two Westmeath SFC titles while coaching St Loman's in recent seasons.
The anticipated appointment of Kelly and his supporting staff is scheduled for the upcoming county board meeting.
The Management Committee of Offaly GAA is pleased to recommend Declan Kelly as manager of the Offaly Senior Football team.
A member of Kilclonfert GAA Club, Declan managed Offaly to Leinster and All-Ireland Under 20 Football Championship success in 2021. He also has an excellent… pic.twitter.com/R83VOAvOep— Official Offaly GAA (@Offaly_GAA) August 17, 2023
"The Management Committee of Offaly GAA is pleased to recommend Declan Kelly as manager of the Offaly Senior Football team," a statement read.
"A member of Kilclonfert GAA Club, Declan managed Offaly to Leinster and All-Ireland Under-20 Football Championship success in 2021. He also has an excellent track record as a club manager and most recently guided St Loman’s, Mullingar to back-to-back Westmeath Senior Football titles in 2020 and 2021.
"Declan’s coaching personnel will include Vinny Mooney – a former Shannonbridge and Offaly footballer who was a coach/ selector with the Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Club winning side this year – and Ciaran Kilmurray from St Loman’s, Mullingar.
"The full management set-up will be finalised in the near future. Declan was proposed to the Management Committee of Offaly GAA at a meeting on the afternoon of 17 August and the decision will be brought to the next Offaly County Board meeting for ratification."
