Mike Solan Appointed Offaly Football Manager

Mike Solan is poised to take charge of the Offaly footballers after being put forward by the Faithful County’s management committee as their next senior boss.

The former Longford manager, who parted ways with the midlanders earlier this month, will now go before the September county board meeting for ratification. If, as expected, he gets the green light, Solan will take the reins on a three-year term.

He won’t be coming in alone. His proposed backroom team carries serious weight.

• Joe Keane, who has built a strong reputation through coaching stints with Mayo, Sligo and Longford, is set to join him on the line.
• Alongside Keane will be Offaly great Nigel Dunne, the man who led the county’s minors to a landmark Leinster title in 2025 – their first provincial minor crown in 35 years.

Solan’s coaching journey has taken in several key posts. Before Longford, he managed the Mayo Under-21s and later linked up with Andy Moran’s management team in Leitrim, adding inter-county experience across different levels and provinces.

Offaly have been searching for a new direction since the joint-management ticket of Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly stepped away last month. Harte, who came in alongside Kelly for the 2024 season with Kelly already in situ from the previous year, had weighed up staying on for another campaign before both men ultimately chose to depart.

Now the county stands on the verge of a new chapter, with Solan’s appointment set to define where Offaly football goes next.