Liam Kearns
Encyclopedia
Liam Kearns is the former manager of the Limerick
and Laois
gaelic football
teams.
Tralee man Kearns, whose mother is from Laois, was appointed as Mick O'Dwyer
’s successor in September 2006. He previously managed Limerick
for six years and helped to raise the county’s profile in that time. In being appointed he saw off the challenge of former Laois star Pat Roe
, who had a successful spell in charge of Wexford
.
He managed the Limerick under 21 side to successive Munster titles and to an All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
final appearance. In 2003 he led Limerick to a Division 2 National Football League
final where they were beaten by Westmeath
on the same day that Laois lost to Tyrone
in the Division 1 decider.
The following year he was in charge when Limerick beat Laois in a Division 1 National Football League
tie at the Gaelic Grounds
and that year Limerick reached the Munster Senior Football Championship
final which they lost on a replay to Kerry.
In 2010 he led Aherlow
to the Tipperary Senior Football Championship.
club and played for the Kerry minor team for two year winning an All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
with them in 1980.
He graduated to become a member of the Kerry Under 21 and senior football panels and won a Kerry Senior Football Championship medal with Austin Stacks
in 1986.
His father Ollie captained Kerry to an All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
final in the late 50s and then was a wing forward on the Graiguecullen
team that won their last Laois Senior Football Championship title in 1965.
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
and Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
teams.
Tralee man Kearns, whose mother is from Laois, was appointed as Mick O'Dwyer
Mick O'Dwyer
Mick O'Dwyer , is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. He played Gaelic football with his local club Waterville and was a member of the Kerry senior team from 1956 until 1974...
’s successor in September 2006. He previously managed Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
for six years and helped to raise the county’s profile in that time. In being appointed he saw off the challenge of former Laois star Pat Roe
Pat Roe
-Playing career:Roe played for Laois senior football team from the mid-1980s until the 1990s primarily as a defender but also in midfield. During that period he was widely regarded as one of the top players in the country in his position....
, who had a successful spell in charge of Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
.
Managerial career
Kearns is highly regarded as a manager and coach and during his spell with Limerick he turned them into the second team in Munster as they outshone Cork.He managed the Limerick under 21 side to successive Munster titles and to an All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
final appearance. In 2003 he led Limerick to a Division 2 National Football League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
final where they were beaten by Westmeath
Westmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
on the same day that Laois lost to Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
in the Division 1 decider.
The following year he was in charge when Limerick beat Laois in a Division 1 National Football League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
tie at the Gaelic Grounds
Gaelic Grounds
The Gaelic Grounds or Páirc na nGael is the principal Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Limerick City, Ireland, home to the Limerick hurling and football teams....
and that year Limerick reached the Munster Senior Football Championship
Munster Senior Football Championship
The Munster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council and are played during the summer months...
final which they lost on a replay to Kerry.
In 2010 he led Aherlow
Aherlow GAA
Aherlow GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association gaelic football club located in West Tipperary in Ireland. The club is part of the West division of Tipperary GAA. They have been Tipperary Senior Football champions on two occasions...
to the Tipperary Senior Football Championship.
Playing career
As a player, Liam was a member of the Austin StacksAustin Stacks
Austin Stacks is a hurling and Gaelic football club based in Tralee in County Kerry, Ireland. It has more All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals and GAA All-Stars than any other GAA club in Ireland...
club and played for the Kerry minor team for two year winning an All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
The All-Ireland Minor Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors of the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
with them in 1980.
He graduated to become a member of the Kerry Under 21 and senior football panels and won a Kerry Senior Football Championship medal with Austin Stacks
Austin Stacks
Austin Stacks is a hurling and Gaelic football club based in Tralee in County Kerry, Ireland. It has more All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals and GAA All-Stars than any other GAA club in Ireland...
in 1986.
His father Ollie captained Kerry to an All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
The All-Ireland Minor Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors of the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
final in the late 50s and then was a wing forward on the Graiguecullen
Graiguecullen
Graiguecullen GFC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club that plays in County Laois, Ireland.The club were winners of thirteen Carlow Senior Football Championship Titles and twelve Laois Senior Football Championship titles, the last of which was in 1965.The Club won the Laois Intermediate Football...
team that won their last Laois Senior Football Championship title in 1965.