KILDARE have named their new manager and backroom staff, with former Lilywhite Brian Flanagan taking the hot seat and Armagh minor manager Aidan O’Rourke being named among his staff.
O’Rourke, an All-Ireland winner as a player, led the Orchard minors to an All-Ireland and Ulster final, losing both to Derry minors, and has previously acted as a selector for Kildare.
The former Dromintee clubman won the All-Ireland in 2002 lining out alongside Kieran McGeeney, who previously coached the Kildare footballers and has just finished an All-Ireland-winning season with the Orchard county.
O’Rourke has had previous management experience in Leinster, taking the Louth footballers from 2012 to 2014.
Flanagan, who takes over from Glenn Ryan, has had previous success with the Lilywhites, leading the U20 side to back-to-back Leinster titles and back-to-back All-Ireland finals, winning it in 2023.
The former defender’s nomination will be brought forward for ratification at the September County Board Meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, September 3rd.
The Johnstownbridge clubman, who lined out for Kildare under Kieran McGeeney, will also be bringing two former Lily whites on board to the side that reached the Leinster semi-final last year, losing to Louth by four points at Croke Park and suffering a five-point loss to Laois in the Tailteann Cup.
Damien Hardy and Daryl Flynn will join former Armagh half-back Aidan O’Rourke in assisting Flanagan as he hopes to turn around the Lilywhites.
Kildare finished rock bottom of the second division of the National Football League, losing all seven games in the process.
