Kenny forces way into the frame as Dublin sign up Cuala hurling kingpin
MATTIE KENNY, the man who led Cuala to two successive AllIreland club titles, has been confirmed as the new Dublin hurling manager. The Galway native has been appointed on a three-year term, succeeding Pat Gilroy who stepped down after one season because of work pressures.
Kenny had put his name forward last year before Gilroy took up the role. However, this time around, his fine work with the southside club couldn’t be ignored.
Anthony Cunningham, who Kenny worked with in Galway in 2012, was also in contention for the role as he was a coach in Gilroy’s backroom team while Anthony Daly was also linked with a return to the job he held for six years.
But it was felt that Kenny deserved the opportunity, especially given his relationship with the Cuala players. The Tynagh Abbey-Duniry man has been in demand in recent months and it is believed Waterford wanted Kenny to succeed Derek McGrath.
Dublin made progress during Gilroy’s one season in charge. They could be considered the unluckiest team in the hurling Championship, leading both Kilkenny and Wexford at the end of normal time, only to lose both games by a point. Meanwhile, legendary Limerick full-back Leonard Enright passed away yesterday. The Patrickswell native was 65 and had been inducted into the GAA’s Hall of Fame earlier this year. A tribute to Enright was played at Friday’s All-Star banquet.