Wallace keen on taking Saffrons hot-seat

FORMER Limerick and Cork physical trainer Jerry Wallace has expressed his interest in the vacant Antrim hurling manager’s position.

With nominations being sought from Antrim GAA clubs, Wallace, who was Antrim’s physical trainer last year, pointed to his in-depth knowledge with the Saffrons hurling scene.

“I’d be familiar with the area and the set-up,” said Wallace.

“I know the club structure and the profile of the players, and when I was there before we had some success. There’s good work being done there, so it’s something I’d be very interested in.

“I left because Donal O’Grady took over Limerick at the start of this year, and I’d agreed when he left the Cork job in 2004 that I’d support him if he went back into inter-county management.”

Wallace was the Antrim physical trainer last year under manager Dinny Cahill, when they beat Dublin in the All-Ireland SHC qualifiers.

“12 months ago Antrim would have put themselves in a position to be more competitive in the NHL and to build on that win, and they could have advanced to the All-Ireland quarter-finals if they had beaten Limerick in the qualifiers this year.

“The players are still there, though, so I’d presume the desire to progress is still there. You set up your programme and take it from there, and you can’t make predictions, but if Antrim were to win a game against one of the big counties, it’d be a start.

“If you look at the ‘big’ counties they tend to appoint managers from former players who have given good service, while smaller counties are always appreciative of people who come in and give of their expertise. Sometimes those small counties get results because people take them for granted, they’re the underdog, and an underdog can be a dangerous thing.”

Wallace describes training Limerick as an “enjoyable experience”.

“I came in last November and we had a low-key set-up. We withdrew from the Waterford Crystal to focus on the players’ physical development, given what they missed out on last year.

“The whole process went very well. We were unlucky against Waterford and unfortunately we didn’t beat Dublin. Donal indicated early last week that he wouldn’t be continuing and that means the management team that was in place was also finished.”

Wallace said the Limerick players’ response to training was exemplary and said one veteran had given the new regime his blessing.

“Donie Ryan would have been involved at inter-county level for about 15 years and at one stage he said that if the 2011 set-up had been available to some of the players Limerick had had over the last 10 years, then they would have won an All-Ireland.

Limerick made great progress last year — not just on the field, but with the public, who were talking about the team and their style of play. “There was a positive response and I’d hope Limerick can find it within themselves to build on what was done this year and to take it to the next level.”