Eddie calls time on impressive Laois reign
EDDIE BRENNAN has stepped down as Laois senior hurling manager after two years in charge, along with selectors Niall Corcoran and Tommy Fitzgerald.
The eight-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny made waves in his first season in charge as Laois surprised Dublin to reach an All-Ireland quarter-final and gave Tipperary plenty of it before losing a man and losing the game by 10 points.
Laois’s extended lockdown was just one added disruption to a disjointed 2020 but, after being well beaten by Dublin, they came within a single point of shocking Clare in the qualifiers in a hugely impressive performance by Brennan’s men.
A private conversation, partly critical of some Laois county board officers was made public in error by the GAAHour podcast and fuelled speculation about Brennan’s future with the county, and he and his management team have now stepped away.
Speaking on the subject of Brian Cody’s trophyladen time as Kilkenny manager, Colin Fennelly referenced Brennan as one of the next wave of Cody disciples who might link up with his native county on the sideline in time.
‘What Brian Cody has done for Kilkenny hurling has been immense and what he is doing is immense,’ said Fennelly.
‘There is no sign of him going away; we don’t want him going away and there is so much opportunity.
‘You see with Henry Shefflin, Eddie Brennan, David Herity, Michael Fennelly all going into management roles and to see them there with Brian or under Brian is just fantastic to have that.
‘I think Kilkenny are in a good place in that respect.’