McGrath hails departed trio

TIPPERARY star Shane McGrath has revealed that Liam Sheedy informed his players that he was stepping down as team manager with a group text message early yesterday morning.

Sheedy took the decision to notify his All-Ireland champions before the bombshell news was circulated via an official county board press release.

McGrath said: “We found out early, before anyone was at work. That just tells you the kind of guy that Liam is, so professional. He had everyone told before anything came out.

“He was Tipperary manager first and foremost but he got on with everyone so well and was a very easy guy to approach, both in a sporting and professional sense.”

Midfielder McGrath said: “We just want to get it across that we can’t thank that man (Sheedy) enough. We’re so thankful for everything that he’s done and Eamon and Mick were a huge part of it. They helped us to realise our dream and instilled a belief in us that we could win the All-Ireland.”

McGrath revealed: “Liam, Mick and Eamon were the first men that told us we would win the All-Ireland after we lost to Cork in the Munster Championship. They had belief in us and took my hurling to a level I never thought I could get to.

“Obviously we’re going to be selfish and as a player you want the best. Liam and the two boys have been so professional. We would have loved them to stay but I have an understanding of the kind of work and commitment they have put in over the last three years. I don’t think anybody but their immediate families know the exact nature of it but it wasn’t just the nights in training, it was also the other four or five nights a week with functions and various other things.”

Tipp All-Ireland U21 winning boss Ken Hogan has ruled himself out of the running to replace Liam Sheedy stating he is not keen to return to a post that he previously filled for the 2004 and 2005 campaigns.

“That’s one thing I haven’t contemplated. I’ve been there and worn the t-shirt. I was delighted to be involved with the U21’s this year but I won’t be throwing my hat in the ring.”

Hogan, speaking to RTÉ Radio, paid tribute to Sheedy for the success he enjoyed during his tenure and insisted there is no reason other than work commitments as to why the Portroe native has walked away from the post.

“It’s been a hugely memorable three years with Liam in charge and the legacy is that Tipperary hurling is on a high at the moment. At local level we were probably aware the lads were under pressure from work and domestic point of views. There’s no other reason why they’ve stepped down. You’ve got to remember this is an amateur game and they’re doing this on a voluntary basis. They’re long distances to travel, and they’ve careers and families to think of. There’s a huge amount of pressure when you take on the mantle of intercounty manager.”

Tipp GAA officials formally announced the management’s decision early yesterday “with regret.

“They brought extraordinary ability, commitment, pride and passion to their roles and they built a team that exhibited the same characteristics. They worked tirelessly on behalf of the team for the last three years. No words can express our deep sense of gratitude to and admiration for them. While we are deeply disappointed with their decision, we totally respect it and we know it was a difficult one for them to make.They have left Tipperary hurling in a very strong position and have established an extremely solid base on which to build future success. The County Board will now begin a process to appoint a new management team.”

In a prepared statement from Sheedy, O’Shea and Ryan, they explained: “Our aim when we took over was to take Tipperary hurling to a new level and we are very happy that we have achieved that. We all have responsible, demanding, professional jobs and we are very grateful to our employers for enabling us to carry out our role with Tipperary with such great support in what is a very challenging economic and working environment. However, we have found ourselves working up to 16 hour days in order to deliver in both roles and this is simply not sustainable on an ongoing basis. This has led to our decision to stand down.

“All of the players we have worked with over the last three years deserve huge credit for the effort and commitment they showed. They are a credit to their families, their clubs and their county for the manner in which they applied themselves at all times.”

The side’s physical trainer, Cian O’Neill last night expressed his ‘huge disappointment’ at the decision of Sheedy to step down but insisted he is keen to stay involved in the Premier set-up next season. O’Neill was widely regarded as a vital cog in the backroom team that helped claimed All-Ireland honours last month.

“I was fully aware of the huge level of responsibility they had with work. That was always a challenge. When people look at the inter-county game they think of the 90 minutes for training and the 70 minutes for games. But there’s a lot more to it than that with all the time that goes into preparing sessions, analysing them and the travel involved. With the workload on top, it’s a massive undertaking.

“But I would love to be involved with these Tipperary players next season. Now that’s not a decision for me. In the process of seeking a new manager, it’s par for the course, that the terms of reference include establishing a backroom team. But if everything was right, if the new manager and the county board wanted some continuity, I would be interested in staying on. This group of players are an absolutely exceptional bunch and I would do anything for anyone of them.”