Mike Solan set to be named new Offaly Football manager

Why Mike Solan is a surprise pick for the Faithful

He will be joined by coaches and selectors Joe Keane and Nigel Dunne, with the remainder of the management team to be appointed in the coming weeks.

The Offaly job has been vacant since joint managers Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly stepped down in July after the county's Tailteann Cup exit.

However, the appointment came out of nowhere since there had been little to no noise around Solan's name during the search.

Bigger names had been linked with the post, such as Stephen Rochford who ruled himself out of contention after speculation in the county.

The man from Mayo arrives with real pedigree, though.

He managed the Mayo U21s for five seasons, winning Connacht titles in 2016 and 2018 and steering his native Mayo to All-Ireland U21 glory in 2016.

Additionally, he was assistant manager to Andy Moran at Leitrim in 2022 and 2023, and only stepped away from Longford earlier this month after two years in charge.

He won promotion to Division 3 of the Allianz League this spring.

Longford lost their Leinster opener this year to eventual provincial champions Westmeath, and in the Tailteann Cup were beaten by Fermanagh, beat Clare, then went out to Down in Round 3.

Offaly, a long way removed from the company that contested this year's All-Ireland final, will hope Solan can drag them up a division or two.