Kernan looks to the future

AWARDS/Manager of the year: For the autograph hunters it was like shooting fish in a barrel. After 20 years of awards, the 21st Philips Manager of the Year was like any 21st bash. Loud, glitzy and everyone there that you expected.

Former winners of the award, Mick McCarthy, Liam Griffin, John Oxx and many more arrived for the coming of age party in Dublin, where Armagh football manager Joe Kernan added another GAA name to the ever growing list. Meath's Sean Boylan, Clare hurling's Ger Loughnane, Billy Morgan, the Cork football coach, Donegal manager Brian McEniff, Peter McGrath from Down and Kilkenny's Pat Henderson are all former winners of the award.

Kernan, who was presented with the award by Cel O'Reily, managing director of Philips Ireland, claimed this year's trophy for his marshalling of the Armagh footballers to the All-Ireland final at Croke Park, where they overcame a heavily fancied Kerry side by 1-12 to 0-14.

Kernan was also a member of the Armagh team which lost to Dublin in the 1977 All-Ireland final. Now that the excitement of this year's exploits has subsided, the manager and his back-room staff are hoping the victory will lead to further success.

"We hope the All-Ireland win will have a great effect on the county. It will maybe make younger people that aren't that interested think that the orange and white of Armagh is just as interesting as the red and white of Manchester United or Liverpool. It's not that big an issue, but it means that more young people are going to play Gaelic football," said Kernan.

"Hopefully in years to come there will be a feed line from this. If there isn't there will be a big problem in the county. This should encourage more people to play our game. But at the end of the day I'm into all sports.

"There is a World Cup coming up in rugby next year and they are on a roll at the moment and Ireland are bidding for the European Championships. But you know I'd sincerely like to see Croke Park opened up. It's one of the best stadiums in Europe and it should be open."

But Kernan's altruism does not go on for ever and even at the cutting edge of county football, his crystal ball can see no further than the first rounds of the 2003 championship.

"To be selfish about it, I just hope that winning an All-Ireland this year will help us win many more in years to come. But in saying that, we'll only find out if they have the hunger to win another All-Ireland this year come championship time."

Along with Gaelic games, rugby featured prominently in the awards throughout the season. Declan Kidney, part of Ireland's rugby management team and former coach to twice Heineken European Cup finalists Munster, was also in his party clothes before jetting off to Lanzarote where the Irish squad will take a break next week.

Kidney was the January winner after Leinster's Matt Williams claimed the December 2001 award. Shannon coach Geoff Moylan, who led his side to All-Ireland League victory, picked up the May award.

Monthly winners: December 2001- Matt Williams (Leinster rugby coach); January 2002 - Declan Kidney (Munster rugby coach); February - Billy McGrath (Clarinbridge hurling manager); March - Brian McIver (Ballinderry Gaelic football manager); April - Martin Murray (Dundalk soccer manager); May - Geoff Moylan (Shannon rugby coach); June - Mick McCarthy (Ireland soccer manager); July - Tommy Lyons (Dublin Gaelic football manager); August - Joe Kernan (Armagh Gaelic football manager). September - Brian Coady (Kilkenny hurling manager); October - Kevin Mahon (Derry City manager); November - Dermot Weld (Melbourne Cup winner with Media Puzzle).