Laois begin search for successor to Kearns

LIAM KEARNS has blamed heightened expectations in modern society for failing to bring Laois football on to another level during his two-year tenure, which ended with his resignation yesterday despite his deal having another year to run.

Kearns, when contacted by The Irish Timesyesterday, refused to elaborate on the following comments he made in an interview on RTÉ radio: "There are unrealistic expectations (on intercounty managers) and that trend is there for all to see this year.

"I think there are eight or nine managers gone and the year is not over yet. When you see the likes of Paddy Crozier, John O'Mahony and Mickey Harte, who've had unbelievable success at national level, have their tenure questioned - and I was very sad to see earlier in the year Colm Coyle and John Maughan leaving in very acrimonious circumstances - you have to say that there are unrealistic expectations.

"I suppose it is a reflection of the society we live in. Success is demanded instantly. Patience and loyalty seem to be a thing of the past in society these days."

Maughan left the Roscommon job citing abuse from a minority of supporters but Coyle did not part company with Meath in "acrimonious" circumstances. He stepped down after they were beaten by Wexford and then Limerick, teams the Royal County would be usually expected to overcome.

The Derry County Board came out this week in support of Crozier despite their failure to build on the National League success this summer. O'Mahony would target a Connacht title as a basic requirement for the Mayo footballers and they hardly lit up the championship thereafter.

Kearns guided Laois to the Leinster final in 2007 but in this year's provincial semi-final they were comprehensively beaten 0-18 to 0-12 by Wexford. They then lost to Down in the qualifiers. He noted the players would regularly slip back into the short-passing style preferred under Mick O'Dwyer.

The panel was also severely hampered by injury while Kearns clashed publicly with the local media after the narrow defeat of Wicklow on May 31st, seeking written qualifications from one experienced journalist.

Kearns was adamant he retained the support of his young panel in what he described as a "re-building" process but felt the necessary support of "everybody in the county from the top down" was not forthcoming.

Laois County Board secretary Niall Handy said yesterday: "A majority of people within the county, and certainly some members of the county board, were looking for change but no meeting has taken place since the Down defeat (July 26th).

"Unless you win a Leinster title in Laois it is not considered a success," added Handy. "Coming in after Mick O'Dwyer (who achieved such a feat in 2003) ensures the bar has been set at that level now."

That Laois have won three minor All-Ireland titles in the past 10 years has only fuelled such expectation at senior level.

Kearns set about a rebuilding process in 2008 following several notable retirements, including those of Chris Conway and Fergal Byron. But the addition of underage talent like Cahir Healy, Mark Timmons, John O'Loughlin, Mick Nolan, Kevin Meaney and 17-year-old Donie Kingston would be seen as a huge boost to most intercounty panels.

"They have a very good underage structure in Laois," Kearns conceded. "They are very fortunate. Underage success is no guarantee to success at senior level. I think in Laois they have an additional problem as they are losing a lot of good talent to Australia. I see Conor Meredith has been offered a contract and Zach Tuohy is going out to Australia again next week.

"Others like Donie Kingston could be under threat also. I think this is a serious problem for all counties, especially Laois."

The Laois board will begin the search for a new manager at next Monday's county executive meeting. The early favourite is Seán Dempsey (brother of Kilkenny hurling selector Michael) who has an impeccable underage record. But Handy did not rule out looking outside the county, as they have done in recent times.