Jack O'Connor is back in charge of the Kerry senior football team for the third time.

The Kerry GAA Management Committee announced this evening that the Dromid Pearses clubman will be proposed for ratification at the next county board meeting on Monday, 4 October, with Diarmuid Murphy and Mike Quirke joining him as selectors.

The Kingdom had put together a five-man sub committee to source their next manager after Peter Keane’s three-year term came to an end following last month's All-Ireland semi-final extra-time defeat to Tyrone.

O'Connor recently stepped down as Kildare boss, citing “the personal impact of the commute from South Kerry” for his decision not to see out the final year of his three-year term with the Lilywhites.

During his two previous stints in charge of Kerry (2004-2006 and 2009-2012), the 60-year-old guided his native county to three Sam Maguire Cup successes.

He then managed the Kingdom to two All-Irelands titles at minor level before taking over the county U20 side.

It's also a quick return to inter-county management for Kerins O'Rahillys stalwart Quirke who recently spent two years as manager of the Laois seniors while four-time All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Murphy previously served as a Kerry selector under Eamonn Fitzmaurice and O'Connor.

Outgoing boss Keane, who would have had to reapply for the job, and current Killarney Legion manager Stephen Stack were among the list of candidates.

Donie Buckley, Mickey Ned O’Sullivan, Seamus Moynihan, Dara Ó Cinnéide and Aidan O’Mahony were believed to be part of Stack's prospective management team.

But the tried and trusted O'Connor has emerged as the choice of the sub-committee and he will be tasked with restoring Kerry to the top of gaelic football.

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