According to media reports a pair of Kerrymen lead the race to take over the Dublin manager's job vacated by Paul Caffrey. But the Dublin County Board have no wish to employ either Paidi O'Se or Jack O'Connor. However and a fact backed by reliable sources, the top brass of Dublin GAA circles have their eyes on another Kerryman and one much closer to home - Tomas O'Flatharta. Kerry native O'Flatharta, who hails from the same part of the Kingdom as O'Se, has in recent years nailed his club colours to the Kilmacud Crokes mast. He was linked to the Dublin job prior to Caffreys appointment and when the aforementioned Paidi O'Se took over Westmeath for the 2004 season, one of his first acts was to bring his neighbour on board. Many within Westmeath GAA claim that O'Flatharta played a huge part, if not greater than Paidi's when the Midlanders swept to their only provincial senior title later on in 2004. When O'Se departed the midlands, O'Flatharta became the automatic heir. After a couple of mediocre seasons, 2008 saw a huge revival of Westmeath fortunes with O'Flatharta gaining much of the limelight. Experts claim that Westmeath were the most organised outfit operating in the 2008 championship, with the management gaining the maximum effort from each player. Dublin were beaten in the Division 2 League decider while hard fought championship wins were forged away to neighbours Longford and Offaly. Westmeath came within a whisker of eliminating Dublin from the provincial race and after another away victory over Tipperary in the back door series, the men in maroon made Tyrone fight every inch of the way in Omagh. If O'Flatharta's side had not lost two key players through red cards at a crucial stage in the game, it could well have been another meeting with the Dubs. Even with their two men advantage, Tyrone just scraped through. Events that have brought the Kerryman to the attention of the Dublin County Board. No doubt Westmeath will fight tooth and nail to hold onto their prize asset. But it looks like Tomas O'Flatharta will be guiding the fortunes of the boys in sky blue come 2009 action. Tweet

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