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Kerry's Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh celebrating last year's All-Ireland win with Declan Quill and Darragh Long. Ben Brady/INPHO

New management and legend's retirement - All-Ireland champions Kerry 'adapting to change'

Síofra O’Shea pays tribute to ‘the face of Kerry ladies football’ Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and outlines managerial switch.

IT HAS BEEN a winter of change for All-Ireland senior ladies football champions Kerry.

Successful joint-managers Darragh Long and Declan Quill stepped down in September after ending the Kingdom’s 31-year wait for Brendan Martin Cup glory.

Legendary forward Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh followed them out the door before Christmas, announcing her inter-county retirement after 17 years.

All-Star defender Kayleigh Cronin had a big move to the AFLW confirmed, though she is set to remain involved for the league. Others, including Lorraine Scanlon, Ciara Butler, Ciara Murphy, Hannah O’Donoghue and Emma Dineen have opted out, with up to 12 from last year’s All-Ireland winning panel unavailable.

Mark Bourke has taken the reins as manager. The Na Gaeil man has managed his native club, Milltown/Castlemaine, Castleisland Desmonds and St Senans, and is now tasked with leading the All-Ireland champions.

Star forward and former captain Síofra O’Shea reports a positive start ahead of their Division 1 league opener against Armagh on Saturday.

“Mark’s been brilliant so far, very knowledgeable,” she tells The 42. “He has his plans in place. He won’t be looking to change too much from the way we’ve played over the last number of years.

“He’s bringing in new ideas, and we’re all trying to learn from him. Training’s going good so far, and we’ll be learning together throughout the league. Hopefully we can grow as a team and build that bit of connection with him throughout the league.”

It’s a first managerial switch for O’Shea in her senior career to date. The 23-year-old worked under Long and Quill from her first year as a minor, and can’t pay a warm enough tribute to the departed duo, who informed the group as a unit of their exit.

2025-lidl-lgfa-national-football-league-launch Síofra O'Shea was speaking at the 2025 Lidl Ladies National Football Leagues launch. Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

“Darragh and Declan, they owe Kerry ladies football absolutely nothing. They were unbelievable for us. The energy and enthusiasm they brought to Kerry ladies football, they changed the face of Kerry football for the better.

“They took us on a journey, we all bought into it. We started in Division 2 and in relegation battles from senior, we ended as Division 2 champions, Division 1 champions and ultimately as All-Ireland champions, which was our goal from the start. It was a bit of fairytale ending for them and it really wrapped up the journey we had been on with them.

“They had kind of said last year that it was probably their last year. It took a lot of convincing for them to come back last year, but then again, when you win the All-Ireland, you never know what’s going to happen.”

Bourke has big shoes to fill, but O’Shea insists the levels his predecessors set will be maintained regardless through this “change that we’re adapting to”.

“They raised the standards and they raised everything about Kerry ladies football. They raised the training levels, but they also raised everything else around it. It’s our job now to keep those standards high and not leave it drop again because Kerry had massive success in the 80s and 90s and there was a massive drop-off there for the last 30 years.

“It’s our job as players and the new management that we keep those standards high now and that we look on improving again and staying at the top level.”

They must do so without Ní Mhuircheartaigh, who O’Shea bills “the face of Kerry ladies football”. The 32-year-old taliswoman has called time on a career which stretches back to 2008, and bows out as a five-time All-Star and 2023 Player of the Year, having crucially fulfilled her All-Ireland dream.

Like Long and Quill, Ní Mhuircheartaigh told her team-mates directly before her heartfelt statement dropped on Sunday 22 December.

“Louise told us herself a short while before the announcement came out,” says O’Shea. “She would have text a lot of us privately, and then put a message into the players’ group to let everyone know, because that’s what she always wanted. She didn’t want a big story, she wanted everyone who needed to know to know before it all came out. 

“Everyone was kind of unsure (of her status). None of us would go asking her if she was leaving or not because that was her own decision and no one wanted to pressure her. She took the time that she needed and she had the whole winter to be thinking about it. She obviously came to the best decision for herself. That was what was important that it was her own decision, she went out on her own terms, which is the best way possible.

“It was obviously a tough day for us, it’s a big change in Kerry ladies football, but again, she owes Kerry absolutely nothing and her career has been absolutely phenomenal. We were happy for her, but we’ll miss her around the place.”

O’Shea is keen to pay further tribute to the Corca Dhuibhne great, labelling her as the “ultimate role model”.

louise-ni-mhuircheartaigh-is-lifted-up-by-teammates-as-kerry-celebrate-winning Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Kerry celebrate after last year's All-Ireland final. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO

“I looked up to her from when I was younger and to get to play alongside her was special for the last number of years. She was a top role model, the way she conducted herself on and off the pitch. We took massive learnings from her.

“She was probably the face of Kerry ladies football, and she took a lot of pressure off us. To see how she conducted herself with kids after games, she’d be swarmed by kids and to see that she had time for every one of them.

“Hopefully we can do her proud and continue on that for the next number of years with Kerry football.”

One 2025 boost is Kayleigh Cronin’s presence despite recently signing for AFLW side Adelaide Crows. O’Shea spoke of the conflicting “opportunity” and “threat” of the AFLW last week, but is pleased to have key player Cronin on board for the early stages of the season.

“Kayleigh’s training just like the rest of us and putting her whole life into Kerry ladies football at the moment, so that’s all we can ask for her. Whatever happens down the line, then obviously we wish her the best in Australia.

“I think she’ll be massively suited to it and she’s an unbelievable athlete. It’s a great opportunity for her and when we heard it, we were delighted for her as well.”

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    Mute Michael O'Connor
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    Jun 11th 2011, 3:32 PM

    If u don’t care don’t vote

    87
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    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
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    Jun 11th 2011, 5:11 PM

    God some people are just too cool! If only I had thought of coming up with such a cool opening line! But evidently it’s off to school for me for not being cool enough!

    22
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    Mute Paul Kennedy
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    Jun 11th 2011, 3:55 PM

    I can’t believe it’s almost 50/50 here. What business do the managers have in dictating who should be commentating on games?

    And in even bringing up the issue like this so publicly, they’ve effectively made it so RTE cannot back down on this, where some private words may have had some influence.

    The self righteousness of the GAA community can be exasperating sometimes.

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    Mute Maureen Kelly
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    Jun 11th 2011, 8:19 PM

    Amazing that it is almost 50/50! Considering most of the “commenters” seem to be supporting RTE’s stance.

    10
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    Mute Mike Monaghan
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    Jun 11th 2011, 3:07 PM

    Any chance of a “I don’t care option on the poll”

    74
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    Mute Brian O' Brien
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    Jun 12th 2011, 10:52 PM

    Then just don’t bother with it surely.

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    Mute Mike Monaghan
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    Jun 13th 2011, 5:13 AM

    I didn’t

    1
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    Mute johnwflynn
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    Jun 11th 2011, 3:57 PM

    Who runs RTE, the GAA ?. Stick to the football lads, it’s what you do best, most of the time.

    57
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    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
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    Jun 11th 2011, 4:08 PM

    Ya managers should be spending more time worrying about on the field antics rather than off the field. Are these the same guys who complain about players rising up and going on strike and players tweeting? Surely this is the same kind of antics under different circumstances!

    43
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    Mute Ryan Murphy
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    Jun 11th 2011, 4:15 PM

    Why is an RTE IR issue anything but the business of RTE itself?

    The GAA managers can comment on an individual basis if they like, but it’s nothing to do with them.

    This meddling, on a wider scale, is the same mindset that led to the church trying to run the country, and the GAA in a former incarnation, trying to do likewise.

    If it were a group of, say, politicians refusing to engage with a political commentator, there would be uproar.

    Mind you, FF tried that before the last election, but that’s not exactly a surprise.

    33
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    Mute Dolores Nic Chormaic
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    Jun 11th 2011, 5:49 PM

    The GAA managers shpuld mind their own business and do what they are hired to do and getting weel paid for it……sshh dont tell anyone that last bit!! lol

    31
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    Mute Richard Humphreys
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    Jun 11th 2011, 4:51 PM

    I’m agreeing with the managers but only because I can’t stand canning or morrisey commentating. It’s a very odd situation though.

    20
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    Mute Gus Lynch
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    Jun 11th 2011, 6:24 PM

    I’m with RTE for the reverse. :-)

    He’s a dreadful commentator who emphasises all of the prepositions in his delivery. *In* Croke Park, *on* the halfway line etc. Couple his high pitched whine with his stock phrases of ‘a man called…’ and ‘none other than…’ and it’s enough to have me chewing the steering wheel!

    Heaven forbid you’d want to know the score in a game either. I’ve often writhed through five or ten minutes of his ramblings just to get a score check.

    Can’t abide his commentary. It’s an I’ll wind…

    23
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    Mute Mike Dowling
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    Jun 11th 2011, 6:24 PM

    I’ve heard he’s being lined up for the Olympic Games as one of the lead commentators next year. Now if thats a snub then I take it any time. These guys should stick to the field and leave external politics out of it.

    18
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    Mute Helen Gallagher
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    Jun 11th 2011, 5:10 PM

    What did Carthy do to put RTE of side anyway.

    10
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    Mute Gerry Hancock
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    Jun 11th 2011, 8:42 PM

    Just a shite commentator. Should get ANY matches at any level. Pure drivel.

    10
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    Mute Mícheál O' Reilly
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    Jun 12th 2011, 5:11 AM

    The managers should mind their own business.

    9
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    Mute Paul Lanigan
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    Jun 12th 2011, 8:01 AM

    I’m with Gus. His RISING pitch drives me loopy.

    9
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    Mute Gis Bayertz
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    Jun 11th 2011, 11:05 PM

    I don’t care!

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    Mute An Spailpín Fánach
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    Jun 11th 2011, 6:39 PM

    There should be a neither of the above option. Carthy shouldn’t be lead commentator but the managers have a point in being annoyed at the way RTÉ prioritise – or don’t prioritise – GAA games. That’s the fundamental point.

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    Mute Pat Bowe
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    Jun 12th 2011, 1:47 AM

    See if I care….

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    Mute Siobhan O'Brien
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    Jun 12th 2011, 9:59 PM

    I wonder how would the GAA Managers feel if RTE got onto the President of the GAA and said “We’re not covering any of your matches until so and so is appointed Manager of X county. talk about nonsense.

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    Mute John Doyle
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    Jun 12th 2011, 7:02 PM

    can’t have the manager’s telling us licence payer’s ,who to employ like the old day’s of the church telling us what to watch, seen that mickey harte is from tyrone does he even have a tv licence for rte.

    3
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    Mute Jason Mcginn
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    Jun 12th 2011, 11:33 AM

    Should be a Neither option on this Poll. Its Pointless!! RTE is and alway will be a Click anyhow!! Mind you Andy Gray and Richard Keyes are doin nothing at the moment. might spice up the camogie final!!!! Just joking!!!!!

    3
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