Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TRIBESMEN NAME A NEW HEAD SHEFF
KILKENNY legend Henry Shefflin has been named as the new Galway hurling manager.
The most decorated player in GAA history having won 10 All-irelands and 11 All Stars over the course of a glittering career that spanned from 199-2014, it is Shefflin’s first foray into inter-county management.
The 42-year-old will have Richie O’neill, who has worked with him in club management, as his coach, while the rest of his backroom team will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
After a lengthy process to find Shane O’neill’s successor, it represents quite the coup for Galway to have secured the services of someone of Shefflin’s stature, with the Ballyhale man widely seen as Brian Cody’s successor in waiting in his native county.
But it appears as though he will be with Galway for the foreseeable future and, indeed, plotting Kilkenny’s downfall.
In a statement issued by Galway GAA which confirmed the appointment, Shefflin said: “Managing the Galway senior hurlers represents a unique opportunity and we relish the exciting challenge ahead as we begin this journey. We look forward to working with the players, the county board and the wider Galway GAA community over the coming years.”
The statement added: “The appointment of Henry Shefflin to lead our flagship team underpins both our immediate ambition for Galway hurling as well as a commitment to building a sustainable development pathway for our young hurlers.”
Micheal Donoghue was favoured for a return to the job he vacated two years ago though when he withdrew from the race, Davy Fitzgerald (above) appeared to be the frontrunner, along with Brian Hanley and Jeffrey Lynskey, both of whom have enjoyed success in charge of Galway underage sides in recent years.
But Shefflin was ultimately the choice of the selection committee in what will be his first inter-county management role after guiding his club Ballyhale Shamrocks to successive All-ireland titles in 2019 and
2020. He is currently in charge of Kilkenny intermediate outfit Thomastown.
The prospect of Shefflin managing against Cody, who was at the helm throughout his glorious playing career, is fascinating.
With the Leinster round robin restored as part of the 2022 Championship, it means that Galway’s path will definitely cross with Kilkenny’s next summer, with the counties due to meet at Pearse Stadium.
They are not in the same groupings for the Allianz League though they could meet in the knockout stages before the Championship comes around.