FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT that there is to be a new national director of hurling role set up, the attention immediately turns to who it will be that takes up the post.
The GAA’s Central Council endorsed the idea over the weekend and the role of the new director will largely come down to trying to help ensure that the sport will be developed in some of the weaker counties.
Here are six men who we think could be in the running
1. Anthony Daly
Daly helped to develop hurling in Dublin. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
The former Dublin boss is now the head of Limerick’s hurling academy but should this opportunity present itself to him he may not turn it down.
Daly adapted quite well in Dublin and really brought them back to being a competitive hurling county so his pedigree and suitability for the position are there for all to see.
He may be waiting to go back into senior inter-county hurling management but remains a major candidate for the job however.
2. John Allen
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John Allen's departure from Limerick was somewhat of a shock. Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO
Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO
Allen took up an advisory role with the Carlow hurlers this year and is sure to be considered for the director’s job.
Allen’s previous success with the Limerick hurlers shows that he has credentials for this type of role. Having not won the Munster championship in 17 years and performing poorly in the years since their All-Ireland final hammering to Kilkenny, Allen changed their fortunes around.
He stepped down following their All-Ireland semi-final loss to Clare, which was a blow to the Treaty men, and hasn’t held a managerial role since.
3. Ger Loughnane
Loughnane's fiery character could bring something to the role. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
The former Galway boss will most likely not manage a county side again so this may appeal to him. From the committee’s point of view, Loughnane can be a persuasive character that could get on quite well with the heads of county boards all over the country.
Loughnane may relish the idea of being able to change some of the issues in hurling. He was outspoken about the incidents surrounding Davy Fitzgerald and the Clare hurlers at the beginning of the year, with one local newspaper journalist calling for Loughnane to be brought in on an advisory role to Clare hurling.
4. DJ Carey
Carey's spent time managing Carlow I.T of late Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Carey’s only managerial job since his retirement from playing with Kilkenny has been with Carlow IT in the Fitzgibbon Cup. He recently joined Off The Ball on Newstalk in an advisory role.
Carey would certainly be a well respected figure for the position, and his youth would give him perhaps more vibrancy than some of the other contenders.
5. Donal O’Grady
Donal O'Grady hasn't managed since he left Limerick in 2014. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
A very well respected figure in hurling sectors, O’Grady would represent a safe option if he were to be appointed as director. O’Grady hasn’t been in management since he stepped down as manager of the Limerick team in 2011.
A regular hurling authority in the media, O’Grady is still well involved in hurling circles.
Considering the work he did with Cork during his two years, it is obvious that he has the capacity to undertake projects and see them through.
6. Paul Flynn
Flynn has been involved with Down and the Carlow U21's. Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO
Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO
Since retiring from inter-county hurling seven years ago, Flynn has tried his hand at management with both the Carlow U21′s and as a member of the background staff on the Down senior team.
Flynn is part of the committee that has set up this new role so obviously knows what the job requires. His involvement with the other committee members may also act in his favour should he apply.
Considering his willingness to work in weaker hurling counties it shows that he is interested in developing the game even further throughout the country. The former Deise star could be an outside contender for the job.
Who would you like to see in the running for the GAA’s new Director of Hurling role?
6 potential candidates to become the GAA's new Director of Hurling
FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT that there is to be a new national director of hurling role set up, the attention immediately turns to who it will be that takes up the post.
The GAA’s Central Council endorsed the idea over the weekend and the role of the new director will largely come down to trying to help ensure that the sport will be developed in some of the weaker counties.
Here are six men who we think could be in the running
1. Anthony Daly
The former Dublin boss is now the head of Limerick’s hurling academy but should this opportunity present itself to him he may not turn it down.
Daly adapted quite well in Dublin and really brought them back to being a competitive hurling county so his pedigree and suitability for the position are there for all to see.
He may be waiting to go back into senior inter-county hurling management but remains a major candidate for the job however.
2. John Allen
Allen took up an advisory role with the Carlow hurlers this year and is sure to be considered for the director’s job.
Allen’s previous success with the Limerick hurlers shows that he has credentials for this type of role. Having not won the Munster championship in 17 years and performing poorly in the years since their All-Ireland final hammering to Kilkenny, Allen changed their fortunes around.
He stepped down following their All-Ireland semi-final loss to Clare, which was a blow to the Treaty men, and hasn’t held a managerial role since.
3. Ger Loughnane
The former Galway boss will most likely not manage a county side again so this may appeal to him. From the committee’s point of view, Loughnane can be a persuasive character that could get on quite well with the heads of county boards all over the country.
Loughnane may relish the idea of being able to change some of the issues in hurling. He was outspoken about the incidents surrounding Davy Fitzgerald and the Clare hurlers at the beginning of the year, with one local newspaper journalist calling for Loughnane to be brought in on an advisory role to Clare hurling.
4. DJ Carey
Carey’s only managerial job since his retirement from playing with Kilkenny has been with Carlow IT in the Fitzgibbon Cup. He recently joined Off The Ball on Newstalk in an advisory role.
Carey would certainly be a well respected figure for the position, and his youth would give him perhaps more vibrancy than some of the other contenders.
5. Donal O’Grady
A very well respected figure in hurling sectors, O’Grady would represent a safe option if he were to be appointed as director. O’Grady hasn’t been in management since he stepped down as manager of the Limerick team in 2011.
A regular hurling authority in the media, O’Grady is still well involved in hurling circles.
Considering the work he did with Cork during his two years, it is obvious that he has the capacity to undertake projects and see them through.
6. Paul Flynn
Since retiring from inter-county hurling seven years ago, Flynn has tried his hand at management with both the Carlow U21′s and as a member of the background staff on the Down senior team.
Flynn is part of the committee that has set up this new role so obviously knows what the job requires. His involvement with the other committee members may also act in his favour should he apply.
Considering his willingness to work in weaker hurling counties it shows that he is interested in developing the game even further throughout the country. The former Deise star could be an outside contender for the job.
Who would you like to see in the running for the GAA’s new Director of Hurling role?
Here’s the 15 key GAA fixtures to keep an eye on this week
‘To look at him, you’d think he was going to be the next Beckham. But there’s no airs or graces.’
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COMP:ALL-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Clare Dublin Kilkenny Vacancy