O’Connor has been given a two-year term with the county team along with selectors Diarmuid Murphy and Micheál Quirke.

The board has shown their wholehearted support for the newly-picked boss after there were questioned raised about the selection process. Some club representatives thought that it was unfair that Peter Keane’s three-year deal with the team was cut short this summer.

Many felt that he had not been given a good chance as his term was hit by two years of Covid-19 lockdowns. His final game in charge of the county was the semi-final defeat to eventual champions, Tyrone.

In a statement released yesterday, the board thanked the former boss and his backroom for the job they had done for the last two years.

Kerry GAA wish to thank Peter Keane & his Management Team for their collective contribution to football in Kerry. Please see our statement attached https://t.co/dmIC3qrxzI pic.twitter.com/Cd4QrYKrpE

— Kerry GAA (@Kerry_Official) October 4, 2021

Discussions broke out in the most recent GAA board meeting

Kerry GAA Chairperson Tim Murphy has emphatically rejected claims Keane was treated with disrespect. He has said that he was in constant contact with him and made him fully aware that it was the executive’s decision for the manager from 2022 would be decided by “a competitive process.”

The chairman has also dismissed claims that O’Connor’s appointment was a foregone conclusion before Keane’s dismissal.

“The suggestion that it was a done deal going back three weeks ago, four weeks ago, is totally erroneous, totally untrue, and totally unfounded,” Murphy spoke during a Zoom meeting.

“It’s put out there by individuals in the media who want to undermine us as a selection committee, who want to undermine us as a county committee, and who want to undermine us as an executive.”

The only thing better than Bryan Sheehan's free-kicks is the commentary on the Kerry GAA stream pic.twitter.com/H2ccc1gP7w

— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) March 25, 2021

Former Waterford hurler Stephen Molumphy was also decided as the Kerry senior hurling manager for a two-year stay. The ex-Déise and Wexford selector will be assisted by Pat Bennett, Brendan O’Sullivan, and Shane Briggs.

James Costello will also continue as county minor manager for his fourth season in charge.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Kerry and All-Ireland GAA news, click here.

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Keane was not kept on after the Munster champions lost to All-Ireland winners Tyrone in the semi-final.

The 50-year old from Cahirsiveen had won two Munster Senior Football Championships and two National League titles with the side.

The former St Mary’s player brought the side to an All-Ireland final in his first season, in which they lost to Dublin in the replay.

However, a shock loss to Cork in the Munster semi-final last year and failure to return to the biggest match in the sport has led to his downfall.

Jack O’Connor was announced to be Peter Keane’s replacement, returning for his third term in charge of the Kingdom.

In his statement, Peter Keane said: “It has been a real honour for me to have been involved with the Kerry set-up over the last decade – from Development Squad level, to managing both the minor and senior football teams.

“It was great to work with so many of our talented young footballers. To watch their progression – showing potential from young players in developing squads was a privilege. To be able to guide them to make the step up to minor level and then onto senior level has been hugely rewarding.

“Unfortunately, losing the semi-final by one point in extra time to the eventual All-Ireland winners, led to a decision to end the work we had started and the momentum we had built.

“I know the players very much wanted us to continue with our project. They were the reason I wanted to stay. We were a united Kerry team with a great sense of purpose and ambition.

“All the players communicated to the County Board sub-committee their strong preference for the present management to be retained. It’s most disappointing that their wishes do not appear to have been considered in the decision-making process.”

He added: “The players are a credit to their families, partners, clubs, and communities. I wish them every success in the future as they start out again.

“It has been a very tough time for everyone over the last while. During my term, we had two very unusual GAA seasons. It was fantastic to start seeing fans back at games again. I will now re-join the Kerry supporters in the stands and the terraces, and I want to thank all the wonderful Kerry supporters who have given us such fantastic backing over the years.

“I would also like to pay tribute to all those who have been involved in the backroom teams at minor and senior level over the past six years – especially James Foley, Maurice Fitzgerald, and Tommy Griffin. There are too many others to mention but they all know how much I appreciated their input and friendship.

“I’d especially like to thank my wife Siobhan and my three boys for giving me their unwavering and unbelievable support.

“Ciarraí Abú”.

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The announcement was made after the conclusion of the All-Ireland Championship, where the Munster champions were beaten by eventual champions Tyrone in extra-time of their semi-final.

There has been speculation that Kerry senior football manager Peter Keane will not be in charge of the side next season as they look to bring an end to an All-Ireland drought.

The statement by Kerry’s county board reads: “The process of appointing the next Kerry Senior Football Manager has commenced.

“The Kerry GAA Management Committee has appointed the following sub-committee who will revert with a recommendation at the earliest opportunity.

“Tim Murphy (Chairperson) Eamon Whelan (Vice Chairperson) Peter Twiss (Secretary) John O’ Leary (Munster Council Delegate) Donal Daly (Kerry Games Manager).

“No further comment will be made until this process has concluded.”

The most successful team competing for the Sam Maguire have not brought it back to the county since 2014.

Keane brought his side to an All-Ireland final in 2019 where opponents Dublin forced a replay after a poor first-half and broke Kerry’s long-standing record of four-in-a-row with a win in the replay.

His side have not reached the final fixture of the inter-county Gaelic football calendar since, having fallen short in the last two years.

The Kerry footballers have won two Munster titles under the former Kerry underage star after his appointment following his minor team’s success from 2016-2018.

The former St. Mary’s player won three Munster and All-Ireland minor titles in a row as manager of the county’s underage side.

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