Kelly confirmed as hurling boss

Eamonn Kelly is the new manager of the Offaly senior hurling team.

The Tipperary native's nomination was ratified at last night's county board meeting in Tullamore. Kelly is coming to Offaly on the back of a successful two year spell as manager of the Kerry hurling team. Last season he steered them to promotion to Division 1B and victory in the Christy Ring.

He has also tasted success at club level managing his own club, Kildangan, to an All-Ireland intermediate title in 2005.

He will have his work cut out trying to restore Offaly's position amongst hurling's elite. This summer the team bowed out of the Leinster championship after their first defeat to Laois since 1972 and were comprehensively defeated by Clare in the Qualifiers.

Kelly was recommended to the county board by a working group headed by former Tipp boss Liam Sheedy. It has been confirmed by the county board that Sheedy will act as a mentor to his fellow countyman and will have input into training sessions.