Liston early favourite for Kerry job

GAELIC GAMES: Kerry football is facing into an anxious few weeks following the sudden resignation of manager Jack O'Connor on Monday evening. The difficult process of seeking a replacement is already under way, with Eoin Liston emerging as the early favourite, but with experienced defender Mike McCarthy yesterday announcing his retirement the worry now is several more players could follow suit.

County chairman Seán Walsh spent around two hours with O'Connor on Monday evening trying to convince him to stay on, but in the end there was no changing his mind - with his All-Ireland winning selectors Ger O'Keeffe and Johnny Culloty and trainer Pat Flanagan also stepping down. The feeling was they were appointed as a team and would step down as team.

Walsh will front the search for a replacement, which he said would "begin immediately". As expected, several names were doing the rounds yesterday, including Liston, current Kerry minor manager John Kennedy, and former trainer John O'Keeffe - all of whom are holders of several All-Ireland medals.

However, O'Keeffe was quick to rule himself out of contention, citing the heavy commitments he experienced during his time with O'Connor's predecessor Páidí Ó Sé. "Well I feel I had my time with it," said O'Keeffe, "with my four years with Páidí Ó Sé. I fully realise what's involved, and it is a massive job. It's a huge commitment, very demanding, and takes over your life really. It almost becomes an obsession.

"So I totally understand Jack's decision. It's not only the time he gives to the players, it's all the time outside of that as well. It's like your thoughts are constantly on the game. It has practically become a full-time job. That's why when it's being done on a voluntary basis you have to weigh up all the considerations, such as family commitments and that. And of course you have to still enjoy it.

"I would feel that Jack has given it everything over the past three years, and really couldn't give it any more. It is a big job for anyone to fill, but maybe a fresh approach could be a good thing for the younger players. It could be a little different for the older players."

Liston had previously played down talk of taking over as manager, but he seems a little more primed for it now. The seven-time All-Ireland winner guided Kerins O'Rahilly's to the county title in recent years and is currently a selector with the Irish International Rules team. Like any potential replacement, a lot will depend on work and family commitments.

Kennedy previously managed the Clare footballers for three years and is also likely to be considered. Rumours were circulating that Páidí Ó Sé and Mick O'Dwyer were eager to take over should O'Connor step down, but with O'Dwyer committed to Wicklow his chances are ruled out for the time being.

Whoever takes over - and their level of experience - could have a bearing on the future of older players such as Darragh and Tomás Ó Sé and goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy - who are known to be contemplating their futures.

In the meantime McCarthy has decided to join fellow defender Séamus Moynihan in retirement, confirming yesterday he had played his last game for Kerry.

The 28-year-old from the Kilcummin club outside Killarney made his debut in 1999, winning All-Ireland titles in 2000, 2004 and this year. He also holds an All-Ireland under-21 title and five Munster titles - as well as collecting three All Star awards in 2000 (at corner back), 2004 (again at corner back) and 2005 (at full back).

McCarthy declined to expand on all the reasons behind his retirement but he did endure several injury problems in recent years, including a hand injury which forced him to miss Kerry's league win earlier this year.

Darragh Ó Sé (30) and Diarmuid Murphy (31) are the only remaining members of the Kerry panel over 30 and it remains to be seen how much O'Connor's decision to step down will influence their futures.