Brian Flanagan is set to take over as Kildare manager. Picture: SPORTSFILE
Brian Flanagan should be given time and space to transform the footballing fortunes of Kildare, according to one of his former Lilywhite teammates.
Eamonn Callaghan welcomed the fact that Flanagan’s incoming management team has been proposed for a four-year term by the county board executive, arguing that there is no quick fix to the problems that have sent Kildare tumbling into Division 3 and the Tailteann Cup.
“The challenges in Kildare football aren’t solely on the senior football manager. I think there’s a lot of things that need looked at, in terms of the bigger package,” Callaghan told the Irish Independent.
“Given his (Flanagan’s) experience with the U-20s, he would know an awful lot about those players who are now going to be 21-22. So hopefully they’ll be coming through,” he continued.
“But again, I’d hope and I’d imagine that Kildare supporters realise where we are – that we’re not expecting this to happen in the next two or three years. In four or five years’ time, if we’re up in Division 1 and we’re competing there, for me anyway that’s a realistic goal.”
There has been a positive local reaction to news of Flanagan’s appointment, due to be ratified at a county board meeting in early September.
Callaghan hailed his achievements at U-20 level, winning Leinster titles in 2022-23 and an All-Ireland in the second of those years.
“To go back-to-back in All-Ireland finals, for a county like Kildare, was massive. Losing the first one to a very good Tyrone team … but then to start from scratch again and build another team to win an All-Ireland the following year is so impressive,” he said.
