Mansfield gives new Déise management his full support

FORMER manager Tony Mansfield has backed Michael Ryan’s appointment as Waterford’s new senior hurling team boss.

Mansfield was the last Waterford native to manage the county team, in the mid-1990s, prior to Ryan’s nomination by Déise top brass.

Ryan has assembled an impressive looking backroom team, comprising of highly-rated physical trainer Pat Flanagan, former selector Nicky Cashin and respected coach Brother Philip Ryan, who was involved in Davy Fitzgerald’s 2011 set-up. And Mansfield believes that Ryan’s management team holds the key to a smooth transition for the man who guided De La Salle to county and Munster SHC club glory in 2010.

Mansfield reflected: “Once adopted by the county board, any new manager should be supported. Nicky Cashin is from our own club (Abbeyside). He’s a very experienced campaigner and was with Justin McCarthy for the 2004 and 2007 Munster titles, as well as the 2007 National League. He also guided Kilkenny to a minor All-Ireland, as well as being a fine hurler with Waterford and Munster. Pat Flanagan is a great physical trainer and Br. Philip Ryan is a very good coach. One man can’t run the whole thing and the important thing for the young players and for all involved is that everybody is treated with the respect they deserve.”

Meanwhile, Kerry county board chairman Jerome Conway has welcomed John Meyler’s decision to remain in charge of the Kingdom’s hurlers. Meyler was linked recently with the Waterford and Wexford posts but has confirmed that he will remain in charge of the Christy Ring Cup winners, while also looking after the All-Ireland U21 B hurling champions.

Conway said: “It’s the best possible news we could have received. “John Meyler is a top class manager and it was inevitable that other counties would come looking for him but I would say his heart is in Kerry.”