'Flanno' looks a shoo-in for the Kildare hot seat

There was a time, and not too long ago at that, when the no. 1 aim of Kildare was to be still in action come the August weekend.

If that could be achieved it was testament to the fact that The Lilies were playing in the provincial final of that year.

And much to look forward to.

But, of course, that has all changed.

Sam Maguire is already settling in to his new surroundings in Armagh country while Liam McCarthy is no doubt enjoying the hospitality he is receiving in the county of Clare.

All done and dusted before the month of July was even out.

Crazy or what!

Madness is probably a description better suited to the situation we find outselves in.

Will it change?

Will we revert back to September?

Probably not, but certainly there is optimism that both finals will be moved forward at least two, if not possibly three weeks.
Have to say while the football final won't go down as one to remember, well it will in Armagh, but not in the rest of the GAA world.

But that does not take away from the occasion. The craic was mighty as we enjoyed a pre-match beverage in one of Dublin's oldest hostelries, Molloys, dominated with supporters wearing the colours of Bridie Gallagher's boys from the Co. Armagh. It is fair to say the same colour clad fans were also the most prominent in Croker on the day.

The day reminded us of just what we are missing in Kildare and unfortunately when not even guaranteed to participate in the competition next season, what we possibly could be missing for a few seasons to come.

That brings us to wonder who will be appointed to the Kildare senior football gig for the next two or three seasons?

Who indeed.

The rumour machine is in full drive these days.

If I hear once again “I have it on good authority” that so-and-so is getting the job; along with this lad, that lad and the other lad.

So who is on the list?
Who is in the frame?
Who is interested?

And more importantly of all, who is right for Kildare.

Right for the county.

A few things have to be decided even before any individual comes into the picture.

The first being should the next manager of Kildare come from within the county?

Or from outside the county?

Strong cases can be made for both.

An 'insider' would certainly be aware of the talent at his disposal, while an 'outsider' would (probably) be starting from scratch.

On the other hand, an 'outsider' would come with a clean slate; no baggage; no connection with any club; no connection with present or former county player(s).

A case can be made for either and it would be interesting to know when the search began for a new boss if a definite decision was made in this regard.

As to who is the picture, well the 'Dogs in Brophy's' are barking Brian Flanagan, the former successful U20 county manger and a player who gave mighty service to the county.

When the Johnstownbridge man stepped away after winning the U20 All-Ireland final of 2023 and asked about his future plans he said “I have no plans just yet, but I am keen to get back into senior management, whether that is club or inter-county I don’t know just yet.” 

So, yes, I think we can safely say Flanno's name is in the pot.

The obvious other 'inside' man is the current Roscommon manager, Davy Burke, another who led Kildare to U20 All-Ireland success (2018). After The Rossies were defeated in the All-Ireland series earlier this year, the Confey man intimated that he was anxious to stay another year with Roscommon but so far there has been no official confirmation of that.

There maybe other 'insiders' interested in the position but those two are certainly the two most prominent.

As for 'outside' managers, well, the sky is the limit.

Mickey Harte, last year's Derry manager and the hugely successful former Tyrone boss, is reported to be have been 'spotted' in Lilywhite Land of late.

Not sure if Mickey would be the right 'fit' for Kildare but no one could argue over his track record.

The former Derry manager Rory Gallagher's name has popped up here and there, but to be honest there are no shortage of names, no shortage of suggestions and no shortage of comment.

But for now it looks odds-on that Brian Flanagan will be the next county manager, who will join him will be very interesting to say the very least.

Former Kerry star player Paul Galvin, we are reliably informed “has been in talks” who with, not sure to be honest.
The former Player-of-the-Year was a Kildare coach for one season with Glenn Ryan and by all accounts was very well received.
Another name that is popping up, and strongly at that, is a coach who was in Kildare for a period along with The Geezer, that is

Aidan O'Rourke of Armagh, presently RTÉ GAA analyst.

Now there's an interesting name.

We are hearing there could be two former Kildare county players also involved; two in particular being talked about, both former McGeeney squad members.

In fact the more you think of it, what could be emerging is a management team, led by Brian Flanagan, with Aidan O'Rourke and a couple of players from that era — all with McGeeney connections.

However, for now Brian Flanagan (with his little black book) is the hot favourite to lead The Lilies for the next few years; who will join him for definite we will have to wait and see but one or two (or three) of those aforementioned would be no surprise whatsoever.

Plenty of 'chat' also about the fact that the man leading the hunt for a new manager, county chairman Mick Gorman, will be stepping down at this year's convention so the new appointment will be dealing with a chairman he will not yet have met. Well that of course depends on who the next chairman will be.

Will that have any, or should it have any, bearing on who takes up the managerial position?

There is precedence though in this situation as we were in exactly the same place previously with one obvious difference.

When a previous manager was being appointed and the chairperson he was dealing with was stepping down the incoming chairperson was know and he (the incoming chair) was kept fully informed of the negotiations at the time.

Different situation this time around. Interesting to say the least.

We await for confirmation of Brian Flanagan's appointment, sooner rather than later; along with his backroom team.
As for the next chairman, all those in the frame are singing dumb at the minute.

Could they be waiting for news of the new Kildare manager first?

Interesting or what!