Joe Kernan has brought the curtain down on his glittering managerial career.

The All-Ireland winning Armagh and Crossmaglen manager has decided to bow out at the age of 63. He also managed Galway, the Ulster inter-provincial team and was in charge of the Ireland team that faced Australia in the last two International Rules series.

"The adrenaline isn't there now," Kernan admitted to the Irish News.

"To go back and manage on a full-time basis, the players would catch you out because they know you're not driven. Was it good while it lasted? It was.

"I'm very lucky to have been involved in the sport. I never thought I'd be a manager. I'd good times - both as a player and as a manager."

While the historic 2002 All-Ireland final victory over Kerry was Kernan's finest hour as a manager, the semi-final victory over Dublin was equally as satisfying.

"My wife, Patricia, always says the win over Dublin in '02 was the most emotional day - even more so than the final - because we got to the final," he recalled.

"But when Tony 'Mac' (McEntee) passed the ball to 'Geezer' (Kieran McGeeney) and John Bannon blew the whistle (in the final), no-one can take away my admiration, respect and delight seeing my players fulfilling their potential on one of the greatest days of their lives."

Tweet

Most Read Stories