Tipperary Football managements confirmed

By Shane Brophy

The formality that was Niall Fitzgerald becoming the next Tipperary senior football manager was confirmed at a meeting of the county executive last Thursday.

The former under 20 manager fills the void left by the sudden passing Philly Ryan last month with the Moyle Rovers clubman handed a three-year term.

Among his management team is Peter Tormey, a native of Buncrosna, Westmeath who has previously been coach with the Roscommon and Clare senior footballers. Conor McNally has been coach of the Monaleen senior footballers in Limerick for the past season.

Collective training for inter-county senior teams can resume next weekend with Tipperary’s first competitive game against All-Ireland champions Kerry on Saturday, December 13th at Fethard Town Park, as part of the ‘Champions Under Lights’ event for the Dillon Quirke Foundation along with the senior hurling game between Tipperary and Limerick.

In the pre-season McGrath Cup, which returns after a one year hiatus and possibly for one year only, Tipperary will start away to Limerick on Friday, 2nd January before hosting Cork four days later.

Under 20

The management of Fitzgerald’s former under 20 team was also confirmed with his former coach/selector Paddy O’Gorman stepping up as manager for a two year term.

The Cahir clubman had served as selector for the last four years under managers Fitzgerald and Paddy Christie, and his management team includes former Tipperary minor manager and Clonmel Commercials clubman Charlie McGeever as coach, along with coach/selector Johnny Bourke (Lattin Cullen), goalkeeper coach/selector Colm O’Brien (Burgess), as well as selectors Mick O’Sullivan (Drom & Inch), Eoin Morrissey (Moyle Rovers) and Pat O’Brien (Cahir). Former Tipperary senior star Kevin Fahey is on board as strength & conditioning coach along with Clonmel Commercials clubmate Ross Peters.

Minor

Cork native Kevin Mulcahy was ratified as the new minor football manager in succession Michael Donnellan and Shane Hennessy.

Mulcahy has an extensive background in coaching having been part of the Cork camogie team that won an All-Ireland senior title, and guided Newcestown to senior level in his native county.

He will be joined in his management team by coach Noel Walsh (Clonmel Og) as well as coach/selectors Tim Coughlan (Moycarkey/Borris), Sean O’Halloran (Golden Kilfeacle), and Dennis Peters (Galtee Rovers).