Keane ready for Rocky road ahead

FORMER Limerick manager David Keane is to take over as coach to the Blackrock hurlers in Cork - succeeding Tom Cashman, with whom he won an All-Ireland minor medal in 1974.

He managed Limerick when they won three All-Ireland Under-21 titles in a row and took over the senior team for a season.

Previously involved with Adare, where he lives, he coached Éire Óg, Nenagh last year.

His appointment was confirmed yesterday by Blackrock Secretary Roger Ryan, who described it as “a new beginning” for the club. “Last year was the worst on record for us as regards injuries but we feel strongly that we have the nucleus of a championship-winning team.

“We are re-grouping and we are very determined to regain our status. Every team reaches a stage where they can benefit from a change.’’ Keane, who met the players on Sunday night, admitted that the job would require a huge commitment from him in terms of travel up and down from Limerick three nights a week. He made it clear that he will expect that commitment to be matched by the players. “I was with Nenagh last year and I thought they were excellent,’’ he added.

He qualified as a civil engineer in UCC and won a Fitzgibbon Cup medal with the College in 1976. One of his team-mates was the well-known Waterford surgeon Tadhg O’Sullivan. In 1977, Keane was a member of the Cork side which lost the All-Ireland final.

“I am away from Cork a long time,’’ he stated, recalling that he had been player-manager with his home club, Passage West in the mid-eighties. “Obviously, I know the proud tradition that Blackrock have and the level of input they have had to Cork teams over the years. There are players in the present panel who are doing the same.’’

* Blackrock recently opened their new hall for indoor training. As part of the fundraising they are holding a race night at the Cork track in Curraheen Park on Thursday.