Naomh Abán beef up management with big names from Kerry

Naomh Abán have put together a high-powered management team in their hopes of returning to the senior ranks next year.

Kerry legends Seamus Moynihan and Pat Flanagan have joined Jimmy Allen’s set-up next season as the Muskerry club look to make a mark.

They have lost at the semi-final stage to Aghabullogue in the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC in the last two seasons.

Allen is just finished his first campaign at the helm. He was also manager when Naomh Abán won the IFC in 1999.

He has buttressed his management ticket by going over the county bounds.

Joining the internal team from last season of Allen and selectors Tomás Hallissey and Michael Scanlon, Gary Mór Ó Loingsigh is joining as a selector for the year ahead.

Gary McGrath is the new head coach in Naomh Abán. Gary has extensive experience in football from representing Kerry at underage and adult levels and also playing senior football with his club Beaufort.

In management, Gary has been central to St Brendan’s football for years managing multiple Corn Uí Mhuirí winning teams and also managing the team that won back-to-back Hogan Cups in 2016 and 2017 ending a 24-year wait in the college for the cup. Gary has also coached among others the Kerry U21s, Mid Kerry and Killarney Legion.

Seamus Moynihan is the defence coach and trainer for the season ahead. Seamus had a glittering 14 years involved with the Kerry senior team. Not only captaining the Kerry team during his time playing, he also has won four All-Ireland titles, eight Munster titles, four Sigerson Cup titles and multiple club titles in his playing career. 

He also is a three-time GAA All-Star and captained Ireland in the 2002 International Rules series. Since retiring from playing, Seamus has coached the Kerry U21s, Fossa and his native Glenflesk among others.

Finally, Pat Flanagan is the new strength and conditioning coach for the 2026 season. Pat, a former international sprinter and national sprint champion, has more than 30 years’ experience in fitness and active training for elite sportspersons and teams.

As a strength and conditioning coach with the Kerry senior football team, Pat was part of the coaching staff that won three All-Irelands, three National League titles and four Munster titles. Pat also was part of coaching teams that won two Sigerson Cups with IT Tralee. Pat has worked with many senior inter-county GAA teams including Cork, Waterford, Cavan, Laois, Dublin, Tipperary and Wexford.