TIPPED FOR JOB AT TOP Cahill cagey about vacant senior manager rumours & says he’s focused on final
LIAM CAHILL says there have been no discussions with the county board about the vacant Tipperary senior hurling manager’s job ahead of Sunday’s All-ireland under-21 decider.
He is among the contenders for the post after Michael Ryan stepped down earlier this month and his credentials would rocket if they were to beat a highly-fancied Cork side this weekend.
Two years ago he guided Tipp to All-ireland minor glory and many of the players from that success will on Sunday be entrusted with overturning the 13-point defeat they suffered to the same opposition in the Munster final last month.
Other names linked with the senior job include Willie Maher, Colm Bonnar and Tommy Dunne, though Brendan Cummins recently distanced himself from the role.
When quizzed as to whether the final at the Gaelic Grounds is an audition for the job, Cahill said: “I don’t really know to be honest and that’s a straight question and a straight answer. I don’t know.
“Obviously the Tipperary senior job is a big job because of it being in Tipperary and the tradition of Tipperary hurling and all that, but for me it’s something that I haven’t honestly sat down and really thought about.
“I’m more or less looking at it as a supporter over the last number of years and I’m looking back on it as a supporter now.
“I would say maybe the appointment of the manager is one thing but, as a Tipperary supporter, I would be fairly conscious that whoever’s on that manager’s ticket is equally, if not more important, to the set-up and I would say we would need to keep our eye on the ball, what we’re doing in Tipperary to keep these young fellas coming.
“Whether I’ll be in the picking list or not I don’t know but the Tipperary top brass is appointed to find that appointment and we’ll just wait and see.
“I’m sure there’s a lot of people out there that would be anxious for the job and maybe there’s more qualified and more experienced people than me and if there are I’ll have no issue with that.
“Whatever will be best for Tipperary hurling, I don’t mind.”
Cahill admits he’s happy to be in the conversation for the post in the meantime.
He said: “Ah yeah, you would be. Tipperary hurling is something I’m deeply passionate about. I love going supporting Tipperary, I love seeing Tipperary being the best they can be on the field of play and it’s a game of opinions and Tipperary supporters are no different to anyone else.
“I’ve had no contact from anybody in the county board.
“I’m appointed as Tipperary under-21/under-20 manager for a three-year term.
“This is my first year and that’s what I have in my head as of now.
“After Sunday, if there’s a conversation to be had, we’ll see and if not, I’ll continue with the role I’m doing and I enjoy and as long as I enjoy it, I’ll keep doing it.”