‘Liam Kearns was great for Tipperary football,’ Tributes paid after the GAA legend died suddenly

Sadness spread across the GAA community on Sunday night with the news of the sudden death of Offaly football manager Liam Kearns. 

The popular Tralee native managed numerous county teams and club sides across the years and he spent much time in Tipperary. He was involved with many clubs in the county, taking coaching sessions as well as managing teams.

Liam enjoyed great success in particular with Aherlow, leading them to county success in 2010 and then in late 2015 he took over the Tipperary senior footballers. The players responded to his management style and after hard work that spring, Tipperary began to gather victories which culminated in famous championship wins against Derry and then against Galway at Croke Park in the football championship.

On a historic day in Croke Park the footballers were edged out by a powerful Mayo team in the All-Ireland Semi Final. The county enjoyed great further successes during his tenure and came within a whisker of Division 1 football in 2018.

Current Under 20 hurling coach Shane Stapleton was the Tipperary football coach during Liam Kearns tenure as manager. Speaking about his friends passing, Shane said he will miss him dearly and that Liam Kearns had a massive influence  on Tipperary football:

"We're heartbroken. It is shocking news. He gave Paul Fitzgerald and I a chance to get into coaching and he trusted us. He brought our group on a great journey. The players responded so well to him. We all did. Liam Kearns was great for Tipperary football.

“Liam was a great man for the smaller dog in the fight.” he said.

Liam Kearns was an All-Ireland minor medal winner in 1980 and the Austin Stacks clubman played National League football with Kerry. In the following years he became known as a football manager when he managed Limerick, Tipperary and Laois.

During his six years in charge of Limerick, he led them to Munster finals in 2003 and again in 2004 when they just lost out to the Jack O Connor managed Kerry side after a replay. It was a Kerry side that went on to win that years All-Ireland final. He also managed Limerick’s U21s to back-to-back Munster titles. Afterwards he succeeded Mick O’Dwyer as Laois manager and brought them to the 2007 Leinster final.

After managing Tipperary, the former Templemore based Garda continued coaching teams across the country before taking his final role in Offaly.

After his passing, Offaly GAA issued a statement saying that Liam had left his mark there as well:

"In his short period of time as manager of the senior footballers, Liam made a hugely positive impact and he was extremely well respected by everyone associated with Offaly GAA.

"Offaly GAA extend deepest sympathies to his wife Angela and daughters Rachel & Laura. May he rest in peace."