Fanning in charge for Waterford

PAURIC FANNING has been appointed as the new Waterford hurling manager.

After Pat Ryan pulled out of the race to succeed Derek Mcgrath, Fanning and Cuala’s All-ireland winning manager Mattie Kenny were the two favourites for the post.

Kenny was well thought of by the Deise board but the appointment of Fanning came about after a committee charged with finding Mcgrath’s successor put the Mount Sion man’s name forward.

Fanning was ratified at a county board meeting last night and the move could pave the way for Galwegian Kenny to go for the vacant Dublin hot-seat again, having lost out a year ago to Pat Gilroy.

Fanning has included ex-waterford players

James Murray and Pa Kearney as selectors, but the long-serving Tony Browne wasn’t in a position to commit to a role.

It is not yet known if Dan Shanahan will remain on after Mcgrath’s five years at the helm.

Fanning has previously been involved with Waterford at inter-county level, having worked with Davy Fitzgerald during his stint in charge of the Deise.

And he followed Fitzgerald to Wexford, where the pair had worked in tandem over the past two years. Fanning was also involved in the Laois set-up under Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett.

Waterford reached the All-ireland final last year only to lose to Galway.

But the Deise were hit by an extensive injury and suspension crisis during this year’s Championship and they lost three of their four games in the inaugural Munster round robin series.

Mcgrath, who had taken a career break in 2017 to concentrate on his hurling role, had earlier indicated this would be his last Championship in charge and he stepped down in mid-june.

Meanwhile, the Waterford footballers will be managed by Benji Whelan next year.