Kilkenny GAA Thread

VelaSupernova

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118048955#Comment_118048955

That is literally the most insane and ludicrous statement I have heard in my lifetime.

and yet it appears to be true

Alonzo Moseley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118048955#Comment_118048955

Yes, this is doing rounds all afternoon and from good sources.

If true, terrible news for Kilkenny.

Comerman

https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2021/1020/1254963-henry-shefflin-set-to-take-charge-of-galway-hurlers/

. 😳

brookville

No one seen this coming and obviously best of luck to him but surely we missed something here and should of got him involved somehow.

Speak Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049152#Comment_118049152

Serious edit there 😁

tbiggertycome

This is all but confirmed and should be tonight. Apparently Richie O'Neill is going with him. I think they will do very well with those players. I wouldn't blame Henry at all what's he to do, wait around for the blind to see the light?

RTE.ie: Henry Shefflin set to manage Galway hurlers.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2021/1020/1254963-henry-shefflin-set-to-take-charge-of-galway-hurlers/

Village87

massive blow to Kilkenny. Brian Cody offered Henry a role last year but Henry declined. Will be interesting to see did he make the right move.

brookville

Look its not to dissimilar to tipperary and Liam cahill.Henry cut his teeth In ballyhale and the obvious progression was the county team.Its fairly well known he turned down a selectors role and infairness its hard to blame him.Cody will be here for the next few years.County board is full of yes men so what's he meant to do?

Comerman

Three year agreement according to RTE

We'll regret that.

tbiggertycome

I would also fear that players who were staying on in the hope that Cody might be replaced by Henry etc next year might decide to pull the plug.

I fear we could have an exodus from the panel. Some might say their old and need to go but it would strip the panel of experience and virtually all its All Ireland winners.

I expect Joey and Hogan to go regardless given the treatment they've recieved.

I wouldn't be surprised if Buckley, Wally, Fogarty and Blanchfield didn't go back.

My biggest fear is that TJ and Eoin Murphy will also go. I've heard TJ has struggled since he was sick after the AI semi this has to be a massive blow to his chances of winning another AI. Murphy by all accounts has been hugely frustrated by the mixed messages he gets about puckouts and to be honest I think he's gone from the best keepers in the country to just being good the last two years.

I hope I'm wrong on all of this and I'm not trying to retire anyone but the above would not surprise me if we heard these names leaving before Christmas hopefully not.

Village87

All these great players who won numerous all Irelands are hitting 40 and are hungry to prove themselves as managers. They cant wait for ever for Cody to go. Massive kick up the back side for Ned Quinn and the county board.

tbiggertycome

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049342#Comment_118049342

I'm fairly sure Cody asked him in a couple of times but he obviously didn't relish the idea of it. The underage positions don't seem to have been offered or of interest. I think it's a great move for Henry personally and fair dues to him.

therealdonster

This has many knock on effects not least the impact on the Ballyhale lads. It's difficult to accept considering it is obvious now that he would no doubt have taken the kk job if offered. This piles even more pressure on Cody and let's face it we are not likely to realistically challenge for let alone win an all ireland next year under the current setup. The more time goes on the more he looks like yesterdays man.

Also, for me Henry has dirtied his bib a bit here doing this. I'm not sure I would personally want him getting the hot seat now after a stroke like this. He had to have realised how such a move would have been received by the hurling public here. The media and other hurling counties will only love this and we are the ones that have to put up with that so thanks a bunch Henry.

MfMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049521#Comment_118049521

I sincerely hope so 😀

A very interesting, left field appointment. Next year's (putative) Leinster final would be very tasty!

Who is Richie O'Neill's missus?

Billy Ocean

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049596#Comment_118049596

Please explain how this was a stroke from Henry?? 😂😂 he's not bound to wait til Cody has left the post.

JJs Left Hand

You'd want to be some bollocks to begrudge Henry taking that job. I think this is good news in the long term. He gets an idea what's involved in top level management and we get an idea what his actual level is. Be interested in seeing who he brings with him bar O Neill who goes everywhere with him. Huge risk taken by both parties here though. Galway going for someone who has very little management experience again and Henry taking such a high profile job where expectations are always through the roof.

I wish him limited luck.

If he beats Cody next year though the pressure for change will be undeniable.

padraig.od

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049613#Comment_118049613

What does that have to do with anything?!

conor05

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049564#Comment_118049564

Henry was dead right not to go in as number 2 under Cody. Cody barely listens to his selectors, Henry is a leader not a follower.

There is never any shortage of hurling talent in Galway, as good as any county out there if Henry and the back room team can get them to click they won’t be far away.

Slates

In my humble opinion, the Kilkenny county board should be sacked en-masse.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049795#Comment_118049795

Cyril Farrell is due on Off the Ball to talk about the talent pool in Galway. It's a competitive senior championship with 24 teams, and loads of recent success at underage level. Shefflin will have done his homework.

Realt Dearg Sec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049596#Comment_118049596

Are you serious? Hurling public in KK will wish him well and many of us will wonder why he wasn't snapped up when we had the chance. How on Earth is it Henry's fault we have to put up with it? Should he take a selector role, like all the lads before him to shout at the wall for a year or two and walk out with his reputation undermined by continued lack of success? Or should he go where he's wanted and valued? Not a hard decision. Henry is not a fool, he'll do what's best for his progress.

And in the longer term it might well stand to us, if he progresses well in Galway and we finally see some sense, he might be available.

kksaints

Don't blame Henry for taking the Galway job, lots of good hurlers there already and plenty of young talent coming through the ranks.

I wouldn't blame him also for not taking an underage role or a selectors role here. If he wants to be a top level manager he has to take opportunities like this when they arise and If the county board didn't remove Cody then there isn't any opportunity here in Kilkenny.

MfMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049713#Comment_118049713

Galway woman apparently. Just wondering really...

Alonzo Moseley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049343#Comment_118049343

Think you are speaking to the wrong man, I edited a misspelling of "terrible"

Alonzo Moseley

Good luck to him, an ambitious and ballsy move, instead of waiting for a Cody retirement that will likely never come.

Very good points being made here on what this will likely do to some of our best county men (most especially the Ballyhale contingent), and accurate I believe that this will do a lot of harm.

Any of them hanging on waiting for Shefflin to step in and re-energise everything will be gutted by this and may well call it a day rather than another 2,3,4 years of Cody's stale dogma.

This is a Kilkenny mess, even if we have a dire year in 2022 and Cody is finally shifted, our undoubted number one choice replacement is now out of reach for 3 years.

I am usually optimistic about Kilkenny hurling but I feel things are going to get worse before they ever get better.

Senditinlow

I wouldn't be happy if I was from Thomastown, could the announcement not have waited until Thomastown were finished in the intermediate championship. Might drive them all on but if they don't win it......it's a stick to beat him with. Disappointed with Co.Board they couldn't or wouldn't shift Cody out. That panel is crying out for change. Good luck to him all the same

JJs Left Hand

He said at the start of the year he wouldn't manage against Ballyhale so this was always a one year gig with Thomastown

robwen

Thomastown ain't senior yet

Speak Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118050297#Comment_118050297

He'll be managing against a fair few Ballyhale lads next year all the same.

therealdonster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049658#Comment_118049658

Are you not from Waterford?? I stand by all I said. This move has hugely negative connotations and knock on effects for Kilkenny.

He didn't have to take the job. He could have waited another year or two. It's not like he is managing someone like Laois who are not really a direct competitor. I'll skip the token "I wish him well.." drivel and call it how I see it.

And I'd agree with the point that the county board should be put out to the grass.

kk.man

Wow this is some appointment and Galway will benefit hugely. I genuinely wish the king the best of luck because I think he has massive protential in management.

I was listening to Today FM during the summer where he and DJ were interviewed together. The next kk job came up and under pressure Henry indicated he would let DJ go first.

Anyway no better man to whip that club bias out of Galway hurling for good. I bet big Joe will reappear too.

davidx40

Jaysus lads Henry is totally unproven at top level manager level ..... Would have loving to see him get involved with our 13/14 year olds and bring them on

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118050664#Comment_118050664

Do you mind me asking what you mean about the club bias in Galway? Is it that certain clubs tend to have more representatives than others in the county team?

kk.man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118050983#Comment_118050983

I'll be frank..they fight like dogs

kk.man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118050853#Comment_118050853

Hem..2 club all Ireland's on the trot and never managed a team before??...

Stripeyman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118050123#Comment_118050123

Re Thomastown potentially being unhappy, that thought crossed my mind too. My guess is the Galway Co. Board's hand was forced by the Davy Fitz rumours yesterday and they felt the need to knock it on the head before it grew any more legs.

farmerval

Credit to Henry Shefflin for a very brave move. He very obviously believes in himself. Strange that he was never offered U17or U20 with Kilkenny. Would have looked an obvious move, or would the County Board be concerned if he showed up the big boss??

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118051023#Comment_118051023

Oh ok. I'm from Galway, and thought you were talking about a percieved bias towards certain clubs when it comes to selection for the panel.

I do think the idea that club hurling in Galway is excessively 'tough' compared to other counties is exaggerated. Of course there have been incidents over the years, and a couple of the clubs would have a reputation for the dark arts, but I don't think it's a systemic issue either. Two of the main protagonists in that regard were knocked out over the weekend.

The real conundrum is how there is such a dramatic falloff from underage to senior level. You'd hear lots of theories put forward - a county with a University and IT; the drink; county board divided between football and hurling; Supermacs sponsorship.

Shefflin and his team have plenty of talent to choose from. There's 24 clubs in the senior club championship, a decent intermediate structure etc. It's not like Davy heading down to Wexford and doing his thing with a limited selection to choose from. I'm sure he did plenty of research before he applied for the job.

Delighted I must say.

sportsmaddad

Surely this is a positive for Kilkenny Hurling? Whether you like it or not, Brian Cody is going nowhere for the moment. You can throw all the abuse you want at the County Board but realistically who is going to make a heave against such a legend? Immediately after bringing Kilkenny to an AI semi.

Meanwhile the obvious manager in waiting is getting experience at the highest level. Including seeing first hand what can be done with all the resources Galway are going to throw at it. I hear talk of serious money available. Then bring that level of professionalism back to Kilkenny in 3 years or so.

kk.man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118051138#Comment_118051138

I heard all those theory but the one I heard most worrying about is that the club difference s translated into the county training set up where it effects the team from gelling. Sheflin will take no bull from anyone he observed Cody at first hand and that alone is some asset to bring in.

He will be like a kid in a sweet shop with the talent at his disposal.

therealdonster

If people think he is going to Galway and learning the ropes before coming back down to manage Kilkenny then they are as deluded as the dinosaurs running the county board. Let's imagine the different potential scenarios that may unfold here.

Number 1 he leads Galway to 1 or more All Irelands. That means they will be at our expense amongst others. Likely with a number of victories over us. How do people feel about this?? Will he leave after 3 or continue to stay on??

Number 2 - He fails to win the AI in whatever way - failure. By this time the game and maybe even Cody have moved on. In either scenario I don't want him back. Failing up there doesn't mean that he was never up to it down here if you get me.

Richie Power Snr was dead right when he spoke out that time on Cody. He could have walked with his reputation intact a few years back and given the TJ's, Wally etc a new lease of life. Instead we are staring at falling even further behind next year with this tired looking setup. Wait for the next few weeks when the first retirement is announced and the dominoes start to fall after it.

Cody has to much control i was talking to a man last week he was a selector with kilkenny teams he said he will have to be dragged screaming from the job because he is not going to move. Somebody mentioned Ned Quinn at least when he was there their was a bit of control, Galway seem to have interviewed a lot of lads for the job Michael Donoghue told them to keep it you have to wonder about there under age men were not considered. Davy was never going to happen in Galway .

kk.man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118051222#Comment_118051222

Cody isn't going anywhere nor it seems he can't be got rid of . Henry did the right thing. Galway have massive talent unfortunately we don't and I don't see it improving anytime soon.

therealdonster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118051252#Comment_118051252

I think the talent in Galway thing is a bit over stated. I'd wager that Cork will get more top players from this years minor team than the combined 4 in a row minor team that Galway had.

kilkennyboy

Success in galway is far from guaranteed. Minor teams with plenty all Ireland medals

Are not a new phenomenon up there .few have made a impact on panel todate

I would have them

1 Limerick

2 Waterford

3 Tipperary Kilkenny clare

Wexford galway

Canning gone and possibly a few more. big rebuild job.Best of luck to him 3 years driving

To galway from ballyhale 3 times a week 🤯

kk.man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118051282#Comment_118051282

Thing is they had a 4 in a row. No-one can take that away from them. It's how they were 'managed' after the juvenile success that where the fault lies.

MfMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118051138#Comment_118051138

Exactly. 'Club in-fighting in Galway' is a tired, age-old trope at this stage.

threeball

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118051170#Comment_118051170

That was an issue years ago but not so much now. Our biggest problem was always attitude when playing weaker teams and an inability to nurture talent. The county is beyond useless at finding talent outside the top teams too. Intermediate and junior clubs might as well not exist.

kilkennyboy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118051376#Comment_118051376

With 24 senior teams which is 12 to many

And 14 intermediate the junior championship is equivalent to junior A in Kilkenny. Not that surprising