Fitzgerald back with Déise, O'Connor extends Kerry stay

Waterford have appointed Ephie Fitzgerald as their senior football manager for the second time.

The Cork native, who led his county to the the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship in 2016, was previously in charge of the Déise in 2022-23, before opting against a third year in charge.

He succeeds Paul Shankey, who stepped down after two years in July, and has been reappointed on a two-year term, with the option of a third.

Waterford won only one game across league and championship in Fitzgerald's initial spell in charge but defeated Tipperary for the first time in championship in 36 years under Shankey in 2024.

They finished bottom of Division 4 of the Allianz Football League and lost their four Munster Championship/Tailteann Cup encounters this year.

As expected, a meeting of the Kerry County Board tonight ratified a new two-year term for All-Ireland SFC winning manager Jack O'Connor.

O'Connor, who won his fifth All-Ireland as bainisteoir in July, had indicated that it would be his last season in charge, though in the aftermath of the decider against Donegal he left open the possibility that he could change his mind.

The Dromid Pearses clubman was appointed for his third spell as Kingdom manager for the 2022 season, winning a fourth All-Ireland crown that year.

Meanwhile, former Sligo boss Tony McEntee (above) has joined the Down management team.

The Crossmaglen man, recently linked with the Mayo job ultimately given to Andy Moran, is a notable addition to Conor Laverty's coaching staff.

Laverty was forced to hunt for a replacement after Ciaran Meenagh became Derry manager following Paddy Tally's exit.

Tally, himself a former Down and Derry manager, is now in Mayo with Moran.

Steve Williams has also joined the Down set up as goalkeeping coach. The former League of Ireland player replaces Thomas Mallon, who is understood to be returning to Derry with Meenagh.

McEntee's Crossmaglen clubmate Aaron Kernan has joined Robbie Brennan's management team at All-Ireland semi-finalists Meath.

Louth announced today that former Tyrone forward Ronan O'Neill, a member of the wider panel when the Red Hands won Sam Maguire in 2021, has joined Gavin Devlin's backroom team.

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