Pat Spillane believes Mickey Harte’s shock move to Offaly is doomed to failure.

Describing the new arrangement which will see Harte co-manage the Faithful along with Declan Kelly, who took sole charge last year, as ‘bonkers’, the Kerry legend wrote in his Sunday World column: “Frankly, it smacks of desperation on his part to stay at the coalface of the GAA, which is not a good starting point.

“Harte was linked to several other managerial vacancies since he departed as Derry boss.

“So spare me the gobbledygook in the Offaly county board statement that they were impressed with his genuine interest in their football team and Offaly football in general. Pull the other one.

“I thought Davy Fitzgerald’s move to Antrim was bonkers, but Harte’s appointment is even more bonkers.

"Are you telling me that incumbent boss Declan Kelly looked for Harte to work alongside him? It is humiliating, embarrassing and demeaning for Kelly to have to share the role.

“These are two strong-willed, independent individuals. My hunch is that the relationship will end in tears.
Mickey has no connection with Offaly. Kerry’s Tomás Ó Sé was the last high-profile individual to work with Offaly – he was team coach for a season – and they had an underwhelming year.

“The unveiling of this joint management team has all the appearance of an arranged – or maybe even forced marriage – which will never work out.”

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