POPULAR JOHN Sugue’s tenure in charge of the Kerry under 20 footballers has ended.
The former Laois senior manager led the Kingdom to the provincial title in March but they lost to Galway in last month’s All-Ireland semi-final
The Renard man, a former Kerry minor, under 21 and junior footballer, previously closely worked with the Kerry senior panel during Pat O’Shea’s successful term in charge in 2007/8.
An outstanding midfielder in his playing days, Sugrue played a big part in the success of South Kerry divisional teams in the Kerry SFC in 2004 and 2005.
He was also South Kerry manager when they beat Killarney Legion, after a replay, in the 2015 county championship final.
The Renard clubman was appointed Kerry under 20 boss on a one-year contract ahead of the 2020 season but he has now informed the Kerry County Board that he does not wish to extend his time in charge.
Sugrue, a chartered physiotherapist who has been based in Portlaoise for the past 10 years, endured a gruelling return journey to and from Currans for Kerry training sessions
He took charge of a young and inexperienced Kerry senior panel for last year’s McGrath Cup campaign when Peter Keane and the senior players were on a team holiday in Thailand.
Sugrue came to national prominence when he spent two successful years in charge of the Laois seniors during which the county gained two successive promotions, from Division 4 to Division 2.
He also led the county to the last 12 business end of the championship and they contested the Leinster Final against Dublin in 2018.
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