Kerry legend Kieran Donaghy joins Jack O'Connor's backroom team for 2026

Kerry manager Jack O’Connor has added county legend Kieran Donaghy to his backroom team in a clear statement of intent from the All-Ireland champions for 2026. The four-time Sam Maguire Cup winner in his playing days has spent the past five seasons as part of Kieran McGeeney’s coaching set-up in Armagh. The Orchard county reached the holy grail themselves in 2024, adding to Donaghy’s reputation, and he now joins the Kingdom in advance of the defence of their title. “Jack O’Connor, Kerry senior football team manager, has confirmed the addition of former player Kieran Donaghy to the backroom team for next season,” read a short statement from Kerry GAA. “Kieran’s welcome involvement further enhances an already strong support team. We wish them the best of luck for 2026.” Donaghy was a Kerry minor in 2001, and a Kingdom U21 in 2003 and 2004, before being brought into the senior panel by O’Connor during his first term at the helm. Initially known as a midfielder, the Austin Stacks man was catapulted into the number 14 jersey during the 2006 championship, and the rest is history. Making the position his own, and becoming one of the great full-forwards in the modern game, Donaghy won four All-Ireland senior medals before his inter-county retirement in late 2018. At the conclusion of an illustrious career, he also garnered three All Star awards, and ended up making 139 league and championship appearances in the Kerry jersey. At club level, Donaghy was part of the Austin Stacks team that lifted the Bishop Moynihan Cup as Kingdom county champions in 2014 and 2021. Initially a performance coach with the Galway senior hurlers, Donaghy also joint-managed MTU Kerry in the 2020 Sigerson Cup, before making the move to Armagh. Hugely popular with players, the 42-year-old’s enthusiasm, coaching pedigree, and experience outside the county, will be a sizeable addition to the Kingdom fold. In late August, O’Connor agreed a new two-year deal to remain as Kerry senior manager, even though he had originally hinted at stepping down after the All-Ireland final win over Donegal. Donaghy now joins a backroom team that already includes selector/head coach Cian O’Neill, selectors Aodán MacGearailt and James Costello, and selector/assistant coach Pa McCarthy. Jason McGahan and Arthur Fitzgerald are responsible for Kerry’s strength and conditioning, while 2014net-minder Brian Kelly is the goalkeeping coach. Donaghy’s addition to the mix will inevitably prompt speculation that the Tralee man will be one of the candidates in the race to succeed O’Connor when his latest spell is due to conclude in 2027.