Pat Spillane thinks Peter Keane could be using Clare as a stepping stone to manage Kerry again.

Spillane can see no other reason why the St Mary's, Cahirciveen man – who managed the Kingdom from 2019 to ’21 – would take the Banner reins.

“In their last two Sam Maguire games, they were beaten 14 points by Tyrone and 24 by Donegal,” Spillane wrote in running the rule over the 12 new inter-county managers in his Sunday World column.

“So, it’s over to Peter Keane. I have no idea why he has gone there. A successful businessman, he was a successful minor manager, but didn’t do so good in the Kerry senior job.

“My best guess is that maybe he has a long-term plan to get back in the Kerry senior hot seat. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pops up as the Kerry U20 manager.

“It will be a tough year, but the good news is they have avoided Kerry and Cork in the draw and could reach a Munster final.”

In contrast, the outspoken Kerry great sees Malachy O’Rourke’s appointment as Tyrone manager as a great move for the Red Hands.

“I am sometimes accused of being negative, but I can see no downside to this arrangement. This is a shrewd move by Tyrone because O’Rourke is a brilliant manager and coach who has had success at club and county level. And he knows the Tyrone scene and the players well,” he continued.

“Since the All-Ireland success of 2021, it’s been downhill for Tyrone, with a loss of form and key players. But they have talent coming through and they are primed for a big year if they can pull it all together.

“There are maybe eight or nine genuine contenders for Sam Maguire in 2025, and I have Tyrone as one of them.”

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