Kilmurray not drawn on McManus comments

New Offaly football manager Kevin Kilmurray has declined to respond publicly to comments made by last year's captain Ciarán McManus, who questioned the appointment on Tuesday night.

McManus asked if the committee charged with recommending a new manager had considered Gerry Fahy, who stepped down during the summer after receiving less than overwhelming support from the county board, which triggered a players' strike.

Part of the resolution brokered by the county's All-Ireland winning manager Eugene McGee provided for a special committee to handle future managerial commitments.

"I don't really have a view on that that I want to make public," said Kilmurray last night.

Not exactly helpful though?

"I didn't say that."

He was head-hunted by the appointments sub-committee despite having no experience managing at the top level although he was previously offered the Offaly job. His background is in club coaching with St Brigid's in Dublin where he lives and works.

"There was no application for the position," he said. "It wasn't like the thing was being dragged around the county. It was very professional and I appreciate the way it was done."

So what persuaded him to take on a position that he accepts comes with a need for "total" commitment?

"People talk about 'burning ambition' but it's nothing as dramatic as that. I spoke to the committee, talked with them and made the decision over a period of time. There was no sudden impulse to do it."

The double All-Ireland medallist will be taking up his first inter-county appointment and will also have charge of the under-21s. Although he's anxious to get things moving with the panel he's not going to rush things.

"I'm 24 hours in the job and haven't even got near a plan of action. It takes longer than that. The main job is to talk to the players and my management team.

"It won't be done overnight but we're going to start working as soon as I get going. The players want to get back, I want to get back and the county board wants us to get back.

"We'll be starting on a level pitch, giving everyone a chance. I've been observing players over the past few years and there's always a few nuggets to be unearthed in Offaly."

He takes over a team that won the Division Two title last spring and so he will have the opportunity to see his side competing against the elite next season. But he denies that this had any impact on his decision.

"I'd never be the rat who runs off a ship. Offaly's my county and whether we're in the first division or the second division doesn't come into it from my point of view. I've gone through very happy and very sad occasions with Offaly and I'm sure I will again."

Despite the discontent amongst some of the county board officials at what was seen as a disappointing season, Offaly for the second successive year lost by the narrowest of margins to the side that went on to win the Leinster championship.

"I think Offaly are one of the counties that the media regard as always dangerous and lurking in the background. I'm confident that we can attain that sort of level. I think the standard of football was quite high against Westmeath and the best game I saw last year was Offaly-Laois and one of the best this year was Offaly-Kildare. There's nothing wrong with the talent."

The modern game is more egalitarian, but there is also a trend towards counties with larger populations. But Kilmurray is unruffled by the demographic restriction.

"Compared to the urban populations in Dublin, Kildare and Meath Offaly could be considered on a par with Leitrim. But that's never stopped Offaly being successful in the past. The old Biffo is alive and kicking and you wouldn't know where we're going - politically and otherwise."

The oblique reference is to the leadership prospects of the local TD. We're only weeks from Brian Cowen's first budget. Kilmurray has a bit more time on his hands and more control over local interest rates.