Tributes Paid To Offaly Football Manager Liam Kearns

Monday, 13 March 2023 10:21

He is being described as a straight talker.

"A straight talker" who "loved football" is how Offaly Senior Footballer Manager Liam Kearns is being described as tributes flood in for the 61 year old who died suddenly last night.

The Austin Stacks club man signed up to take over from John Maughan last summer after a decorated management career with Limerick, Tipperary and Laois.

The officers of Tipperary GAA & Tipperary Football Committee would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the family of Liam Kearns on the sad news of his untimely passing today, Liam’s contribution to football in our county was immense.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/3OdeAITRKN
— Tipperary GAA (@TipperaryGAA) March 12, 2023

Offaly beat Dublin in the O'Byrne Cup and won their opening two league games of this season, the Offaly playing group are said to have been hugely impressed with the Kerry man's character and application.

Former Kerry player and Armagh coach, Kieran Donaghy described Liam as having done an 'amazing' job, meanwhile former Dublin footballer, Philly McMahon says the news is 'shockingly sad'.

Offaly GAA Chairperson Michael Duignan was speaking on Midlands Today and says it is a difficult time for everyone:

Midlands 103 commentator Brian Gavin says the first reaction is shock this morning:

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís. pic.twitter.com/z8XBf0wmyL
— Kerry GAA (@Kerry_Official) March 12, 2023

Former Justice Minister and Laois Offaly Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan says Liam had many good friends in Laois & Offaly and is expressing his condolences to his family.

Kerry footballer Paul Galvin shared a tribute on Twitter, "always liked Liam Kearns without really knowing him, at the same time knowing he saw me as a potential weakness in the Kerry team back in day. I think that says something. Exemplified in the stand he recently took regarding O Byrne Cup. Terrible loss to his family and the GAA."

Liam also coached in Roscommon under John Evans, and subsequently Clann na nGael after he left Tipperary.

Brian Carroll is the chairperson of Roscommon GAA and was a close friend of Liam Kearns, he says he had a special way with players: