by Adam Moynihan

The chairman of Dr Crokes has revealed that it was the players themselves who approached Aidan O'Mahony about taking charge of the club's senior hurling team for the upcoming season.

Former Kerry footballer O’Mahony was unveiled as Crokes' new hurling manager this week, replacing the outgoing John Lenihan who led the side during their first two seasons at senior level.

The cross-code appointment may seem unusual at first glance but the Rathmore native had already been involved with the club’s hurlers as a strength and conditioning coach. He also resides in Killarney and his daughters attend Crokes’ juvenile academy.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, Dr Crokes chair Matt O’Neill explained that it was the Crokes players who put O’Mahony’s name forward for the position.

“John Lenihan asked to step back from the role and it was the senior hurlers themselves who asked Aidan if he’d take on the job. He then asked to meet with myself and we did. He has very ambitious plans and I jumped at the opportunity [to appoint him].

“His managerial skills are well-proven and his professionalism is second to none. He’s got serious support from the players and the standards that he’s setting are very high.

"Why wouldn’t you go for a man of his calibre?”

Lenihan will now form part of O’Mahony’s backroom team, which also includes Eoin Walsh, Eoin O’Shea and Rob Ryan, as well as statistician Ivan Hurley.

Last year O’Mahony guided the MTU Kerry footballers to the semi-finals of the Sigerson Cup before bowing out to eventual champions NUI Galway. He has also previously worked with the Kerry minors.

Crokes exited the 2022 Kerry SHC having lost both their group games but the club’s hurling stock is on the rise.

They competed in the 2022 North Kerry Championship, defeating Lixnaw in the preliminary round, and they are the reigning South Kerry hurling champions having defeated Kenmare Shamrocks by 1-20 to 2-13 in November.