DECLAN FANNING BELIEVES that former Tipperary senior hurling manager Eamon O’Shea has left a legacy “that will be seen for the next ten years.”
Fanning joined O’Shea’s backroom team for the 2015 campaign and has been confirmed as one of Michael Ryan’s right hand man for next year’s campaign.
Fanning, a 2010 All-Ireland senior hurling championship medallist, also revealed that former Olympic sprinter Gary Ryan will remain on board in the new regime, along with strength and conditioning coach Lukasz Kirszenstein.
Fanning told Tipp FM: “I’m very excited, to be honest.
“It’s been early August since we’ve been together as a group.
“Championship hurling can be harsh that way.
“We gave nine months together and then it’s gone all of a sudden on a Sunday.
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Declan Fanning worked alongside Eamon O'Shea in 2015. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“We haven’t been together since, the dark evenings are in and the lads are anxious to get going again.”
Fanning added: “Gary and Lukasz are back with us again, they’re a great combination together.
“We’re in plans at the minute putting together five or six weeks before we get going again in January. The players look forward to that, putting in a good base before they get out on the pitch.”
And Fanning believes that while Ryan will look to put his own stamp on the Tipperary team, O’Shea’s style of play will remain a hallmark.
Fanning said: “He left a lasting legacy with the players, on how to train and on certain aspects of playing the game.
“That was very important and that will be seen for the next ten years.
Gary Ryan is back on board with Tipp. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
“There’s a group there that got three years with him and some even that got six years with him.
“Certainly going forward, a lot of the hurling that they play, you’ll see Eamon all over it and whatever we can put into that too.”
Fanning has backed Ryan, a former selector alongside Liam Sheedy and O’Shea, to be a success in his new role as manager.
“Mick is his own man, and has a wealth of experience from playing with Tipp but he gave another six years with this group and he would be a very driven Tipperary man,” Fanning added.
“The players know that and they know it will be different, and different is good, different isn’t always bad.
“At the minute, we’re finalising a panel for the start of the New Year.
“We’re just looking for people that will strengthen the team, strength the squad and give it a lease of life going forward.”
New Tipperary senior hurling manager Michael Ryan. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
And Fanning believes that the return of Noel McGrath to full health and fitness following his battle with cancer will rejuvenate the squad.
“It’s super, he’ll be like a new player to us next year,” Fanning reflected.
“I felt Noel was hurling really well for us in the (2015) League and showing something a little bit different, that little bit of aggression was back in his hurling. We’re really looking forward to seeing Noel coming back next year and pushing on further from that.”
O'Shea has left Tipp legacy "that will be seen for the next 10 years" - Fanning
DECLAN FANNING BELIEVES that former Tipperary senior hurling manager Eamon O’Shea has left a legacy “that will be seen for the next ten years.”
Fanning joined O’Shea’s backroom team for the 2015 campaign and has been confirmed as one of Michael Ryan’s right hand man for next year’s campaign.
Fanning, a 2010 All-Ireland senior hurling championship medallist, also revealed that former Olympic sprinter Gary Ryan will remain on board in the new regime, along with strength and conditioning coach Lukasz Kirszenstein.
Fanning told Tipp FM: “I’m very excited, to be honest.
“It’s been early August since we’ve been together as a group.
“Championship hurling can be harsh that way.
“We gave nine months together and then it’s gone all of a sudden on a Sunday.
“We haven’t been together since, the dark evenings are in and the lads are anxious to get going again.”
Fanning added: “Gary and Lukasz are back with us again, they’re a great combination together.
“We’re in plans at the minute putting together five or six weeks before we get going again in January. The players look forward to that, putting in a good base before they get out on the pitch.”
And Fanning believes that while Ryan will look to put his own stamp on the Tipperary team, O’Shea’s style of play will remain a hallmark.
Fanning said: “He left a lasting legacy with the players, on how to train and on certain aspects of playing the game.
“That was very important and that will be seen for the next ten years.
“There’s a group there that got three years with him and some even that got six years with him.
“Certainly going forward, a lot of the hurling that they play, you’ll see Eamon all over it and whatever we can put into that too.”
Fanning has backed Ryan, a former selector alongside Liam Sheedy and O’Shea, to be a success in his new role as manager.
“Mick is his own man, and has a wealth of experience from playing with Tipp but he gave another six years with this group and he would be a very driven Tipperary man,” Fanning added.
“At the minute, we’re finalising a panel for the start of the New Year.
“We’re just looking for people that will strengthen the team, strength the squad and give it a lease of life going forward.”
And Fanning believes that the return of Noel McGrath to full health and fitness following his battle with cancer will rejuvenate the squad.
“It’s super, he’ll be like a new player to us next year,” Fanning reflected.
“I felt Noel was hurling really well for us in the (2015) League and showing something a little bit different, that little bit of aggression was back in his hurling. We’re really looking forward to seeing Noel coming back next year and pushing on further from that.”
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Declan Fanning Eamon O'Shea GAA High praise Hurling Michael Ryan Tipperary