O’Grady in line for Limerick hot seat

ALL-IRELAND-winning Cork coach Donal O’Grady is on the brink of a sensational return to management with the Limerick hurlers.

O’Grady, who won the Liam MacCarthy Cup as both a player and manager, was contacted by Shannonside officials last week to discuss the position previously held by Justin McCarthy.

Both parties have met in recent days to finalise an agreement and it is understood that O’Grady may be joined on the high-profile management team by Limerick legends TJ Ryan and Ciaran Carey.

A Limerick source explained last night: “Donal will be the man recommended by the Appointments committee of the Limerick County Board.

“The committee was keen on a three-year term, however Donal has only agreed a one year deal at the moment. What will happen next is that his name will go before a meeting of the board later this week for ratification.”

O’Grady has been out of inter-county management since leading Cork to the All-Ireland in 2004.

Since then he has developed a successful career in media, writing for the Irish Examiner along with providing analysis for Today FM and RTÉ.

However he is keen for a return to pitchside duties and considers Limerick a perfect opportunity to do so, given the proximity to Cork coupled with the talent available.

Another factor that would have appealed to O’Grady is that he wouldn’t have to face his former county in the early months of his tenure, given that Limerick will be plying their trade in NHL Division Two next season following their relegation this year.

O’Grady is acclaimed for having brought in discipline when taking over Cork in 2003 and the team did not lose a player to red card in championship action his two years in charge.

He is also credited with tactical innovation with that Cork team. The famous running/support game was the approach O’Grady perfected in bringing the county to All-Ireland glory.

However the dual player issue may be a potential area of conflict for O’Grady in Limerick. O’Grady is known to be sceptical that modern players can balance the two commitments and dual players did not thrive under his stewardship in Cork.

McCarthy’s term at Limerick ended in acrimony after a massive player revolt with the majority of the 2009 squad refusing to play under him for this year’s league and championship campaigns.

His side failed to record a victory in both campaigns before losing out to Offaly in the qualifiers.