On last Friday’s iTalk Sport with Eoin McDevitt (Setanta Ireland) Premier goalkeeper Brendan Cummins said hurling’s gone “so professional, so time consuming, it is going to be hard to find a [managerial] candidate within Tipperary” – which would be a first. However, he’s ultra-confident that the county board “won’t rush into it” (unlike some), “will pick the right man for the job” and “as a player that gives me huge comfort.”
As for any concern that the next boss will know the unavailable Nicky English was their first preference, he makes the point that Liam Sheedy was “third or fourth choice” himself three years ago. Indeed, according to Dan Shanahan’s autobiography, Davy Fitzgerald – who assisted Westmeath champions Raharney with their preparations ahead of Sunday’s shock AIB Leinster club quarter-final win over Offaly’s Coolderry – was the Waterford panel’s sixth choice when it came to finding someone to succeed Justin in 2008.
