Former Barrs boss Ray Keane to manage Aghabullogue footballers

RAY KEANE is the new football manager of Aghabullogue.

The Kerry native has replaced Robert O’Keeffe who stepped down as boss in the wake of the club's IAFC success back in November. The Caherciveen man is a brother of Peter Keane who managed the Kerry senior football team from October 2018 to August 2021.

Keane has a wealth of managerial experience since he hung up his boots after a successful playing career with his club St Mary’s in Kerry. He had been heavily involved in a number of underage teams in Éire Óg before getting involved with St Finbarr’s initially as a selector under Tony Leahy, before taking over as bainisteoir in March 2016.

Keane enjoyed a successful period in charge of the Togher club during his three seasons at the helm. He guided the Barrs to the top-flight football championship back in October 2018 to end 33 years of hurt. Keane, who lives in Ovens, departed the role in December 2018.

Keane joined the Cork senior football backroom team under then manager Keith Ricken in October 2021. Keane stepped down as a selector from John Cleary's management set-up early in January of 2023, citing business and family reasons for his decision.

This is a coup for Aghabullogue to have the calibre of someone like Keane as boss and on a lot of fronts it makes sense. The club are on a crest of a wave at the moment after achieving the double at intermediate A level last year. Keane has a relatively young group of players at his disposal and there is certainly room to kick on.

Keane’s first competitive game in charge of the Coachford based club will be a Muskerry derby at home to Naomh Abán in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 4 football league on Sunday, March 3 at 11.30am.

In the PIFC group stage, Aghabullogue will face Aghada, Ilen Rovers and in the last group match, fellow Mid-Cork side Iveleary, in what should be a tasty affair.