EXPLAINER: So who are new Kildare manager Brian Flanagan's backroom team?
In his new position, Flanagan will be joined by his backroom team of Aidan O’Rourke, Damien Hendy, and Daryl Flynn
Brian Flanagan will be proposed by the Management Committee as the new Kildare Senior Football Manager for a four-year term. The Johnstownbridge man led Kildare to back-to-back All-Ireland U20 finals, winning the 2023 crown and picking up two Leinster titles along the way.
In the Kildare senior management position, he will be joined by his backroom team of Aidan O’Rourke, Damien Hendy, and Daryl Flynn.
The first name listed is Aidan O'Rourke, a former All-Ireland winning player with Armagh and All-Star in the same year. The Dromintee clubman is no stranger to Kildare having served under Kieran McGeeney during his time with The Lilywhites.
After a two-year spell in charge of Louth, O'Rourke led his home county to Ulster and All-Ireland Minor finals, losing to Derry on both occasions. O’Rourke’s most recent endeavour was in October 2022 when he was appointed as head coach of the Donegal senior footballers, under the management of Paddy Carr. He later served a period as interim manager.
The other two names in the backroom staff will be even more familiar to Kildare fans. Damien Hendy is another man with links to Geezer’s time in charge. Hendy served as both an U21 and senior selector under McGeeney and remained involved during Jason Ryan’s time in charge of Kildare.
The third man on the list is Daryl Flynn. The Moorefield man gave 13 years of service to the Kildare footballers and brings with him plenty of experience of the county’s football landscape to this role.
Brian Flanagan has been given a four-year term and it is now time for patience with the county's new set-up. Flanagan and co. must first and foremost restore the Lilies’ faith after seven losses from seven in Division 2 and a Tailteann Cup quarter-final exit against Laois that brought an end to a dismal year.