McGrath in for Cashin

Ken McGrath was last night confirmed as Nicky Cashin’s replacement in the Waterford senior hurling management team.

Cashin stepped down on Thursday and McGrath’s appointment was ratified last night by the Waterford County Board, who had to fast-track the process in order to have him eligible to act as an official selector in Waterford’s League clash with Galway in Pearse Stadium tomorrow.

McGrath has limited coaching experience, though he was involved with WIT freshers team this year, but is hugely popular within the county.

The appointment is seen by officials as a positive move which, they hope, will dispel some of the negativity within the county about the hurlers’ performances in the league – to date the Deise have shipped heavy defeats to Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary, respectively.

It also brings to an end a week of meetings between players, management and county board officials, with conflicting accounts emerging from those talks.

Some reports referenced “issues” that Cashin is said to have had with the county board, but officials in Waterford said yesterday they were unaware of any such problems.

McGrath, who is expected to focus on coaching within the camp, is one of Waterford’s most decorated players, having made his senior intercounty debut at 17.