‘Egos? They wouldn’t be tolerated’
IN ANOTHER era it would probably be seen as one of the great ironies – a Laois man, and a football man to boot, training the most successful Kilkenny hurling team of all time. These are changed times in hurling, however, and even in the Marble City, the most traditional hurling jurisdiction of them all, there is a recognition that the physical fitness aspect of the sport has moved on to a new level.
Thus it is that Michael Dempsey, winner of eight senior county football titles in his native Laois, formerly manager of his own county’s U21 and senior football sides (brother of current manager Sean), now finds himself as trainer/selector with Brian Cody’s Kilkenny. It all began with a stint alongside another current senior selector, Martin Fogarty, with the successful Kilkenny U21 sides of 2003 and 2004; it ended with an invitation from Brian, the following year, to join him with the senior team.
