It’s not BREND of the line yet
CUMMINS KEEN ON TIPP JOB..IN TIME
BRENDAN CUMMINS wants to manage the Tipperary hurlers one day – but told county chiefs that it wasn’t the right time after Michael Ryan’s departure.
Cummins is pleased that Liam Sheedy has returned to the post instead, while also sympathetic to Liam Cahill and Willie Maher – whose own claims went nowhere once the All-ireland winning boss’ interest became known.
“When a character like Liam comes along, all eyes turn to him,” said the goalkeeping great. It’s exciting times. I know I certainly owe a lot to Liam Sheedy and his management style.
“The Tipperary players now are looking forward to getting in and helping him get us back to where we feel we should be. That’s at the latter end of the summer, competing in Croke Park.
“He’s not playing out the field or in the goals for Tipperary next year. So the players are going to have to drive it – and that is the message he’ll be giving right from the start.”
Cummins had been working with Kerry in a coaching role and will continue in some capacity next year. The 43-year-old admits that being linked with the vacant Waterford post was flattering, but also inconvenient. Eventually, Paraic Fanning was appointed.
“It’s amazing that I was installed as the favourite, though I didn’t speak to anyone from Waterford, no phonecall,” Cummins smiled. “I’m working with Aviva now as an account manager around the south-east. You find yourself having to ring your boss saying, ‘Look, I’m not getting involved with Waterford, I love what I’m doing here’. Some managers can be seen as professional. It’s flattering, but there’s a knock-on effect.”
Cummins has the ambition to manage his county in the future.
“It definitely would be down the road, I’d say for sure,” he stated. “Just the timing this time around wasn’t really right for me.
“I kinda sent word back that I was under pressure time-wise. I don’t believe in taking people around the merry-go-round of interviews unless you’re 100 per cent committed to doing it.
“I’d love to be able to do it – don’t get me wrong. But at this stage I’ve a 10-year-old and a five- year-old. Being gone every night of the week just wasn’t going to fit. Family first, work second would have been the reasons for not going.
“If I ever do it, I’d like to take over. All of the decisions falling on my head – there’s a certain edge to that.
“I’ve been a selector in Laois, been involved in Kerry. But if I’m taking on a role like that, I’d want to be one of the key decision makers.”