Sheedy’s charisma will help him pull off his return to Tipp
I’VE KNOWN Liam Sheedy for 30 years, going back to when we played against each other at Under 21 level – Tipperary beat us in the 1989 All-Ireland final. I got to know him really well through The Sunday Game and his love of hurling, and hurling in Tipp, is always apparent. Even when he was out of management, he was tipping away with certain teams. Last year he was up in Antrim and he previously chaired the Hurling 2020 Committee. It’s if he just can’t get away from it. On one level, I was surprised to see that he is to return as Tipperary boss. He has a very busy job as head of Bank of Ireland in Munster, he is well established on The Sunday Game, and enjoys it.
On another level, I’m not surprised at all. Tipp hurling is in his blood and he clearly feels that he can add something. There is nothing surer than there will be no stone left unturned.
Talking to Derek McGrath in summer, he still felt Tipperary were in the top two or three teams in the country. With Páraic Fanning now at the Waterford helm and Sheedy leading Tipp – Munster is a mouthwatering prospect for 2019.
The county won the U21 All-Ireland against the odds so he has a job of blooding some youngsters while reenergising some older lads.
They say don’t go back but I don’t think that applies with Liam. He has that charisma, that power of personality. He’ll be able to carry that off.
I’ve never heard a dissenting voice about him which is saying something, given how hard to please the supporters can be.