Cusack in running for Déise job
Cusack was cut from the Cork senior hurling panel earlier this year and has since become a widely admired analyst on The Sunday Game as well as contributing a regular column on hurling to the GAA’s official website.
Despite his lack of inter-county management or coaching experience the Waterford hurlers, who voted against Ryan continuing as manager of the county, are understood to favour the Cloyne man’s appointment to the Déise hot seat, with the recently retired John Mullane loud in his advocacy of Cusack as the man to take over in Waterford.
Sources in the South East have suggested that recent retirees such as Mullane and Eoin Kelly could be coaxed out of retirement if the Waterford County Board appoints a high-profile manager, and Cusack certainly fits the bill.
Although the former Cork keeper is unproven at inter-county level, the three-time All-Ireland winner was closely involved in the preparation of his club team, Cloyne, as they reached three county senior hurling finals in succession and is widely respected for his hurling nous.
Yesterday Waterford County Board chairman Tom Cunningham said no candidates had been approached yet, however.
“There’s no process in place yet to appoint a new manager,” said Cunningham.
“We’ll be dealing with that in our September meeting. We’ll address it then.
“There have been plenty of comment about replacements but there is no-one in the frame and no-one has been approached, nothing like that.
“The events of Sunday took us by surprise. Michael [Ryan] contacted us to let us know he wouldn’t be going forward, and that’s all we know. We’ve had no contact with the players, official or otherwise.”
The fall-out continued in Waterford yesterday, with former Déise corner-back Brian Flannery criticising the players for not clarifying their position.
“There doesn’t seem to be any thought gone into the timing of the announcement, with no statement or information from the players. At the very least, they should have thanked Michael Ryan and wished him the best for the future,” he said.
“There are a lot of the players on social media and Twitter, quick to comment on two flies climbing up a wall but they were conspicuous by their absence when the news broke.”
Flannery’s reference to timing is significant — the Waterford County Board issued a statement announcing Ryan’s departure soon after the conclusion of Waterford’s epic All-Ireland minor semi-final win over Kilkenny.
However, Cunningham defended the county board yesterday.
“It’s an unfortunate development, because hurling has been going very well in Waterford and the future looks bright,” he said. “We had a great win on Sunday with the minors, our U21s came close to progressing and were hampered by a couple of injuries, while we’ve also been doing very well in the Harty Cup in recent years.
“I suppose the timing of the announcement was unfortunate, but news of the developments had started to leak out.”
The vote to remove Ryan was far from emphatic, with over one-third of the panellists voting against his removal, while it has also emerged that one of the younger members was selected to contact Ryan and inform him of the vote.
It isn’t the first time the Waterford hurlers have ousted a manager. In 2008, following a disappointing defeat to Clare in the Munster championship, the senior squad informed then-manager Justin McCarthy that they were no longer willing to play for him.
Ballymacarbry man Ryan would not comment yesterday apart from confirming his deep disappointment with recent events. He is due to appear on RTE’s Championship Matters this Thursday evening.
Dónal Óg Cusack
The name of The Sunday Game analyst was put forward by John Mullane yesterday as a potential runner. His lack of inter-county coaching experience is an obvious minus but the three-time All-Ireland winner has impressed many by the tactical astuteness shown in his new TV analyist role this summer.
Derek McGrath
The manager of current county champions De La Salle is steadily building a reputation as an innovative coach. McGrath also oversaw back-to-back All-Ireland Colleges titles with De La Salle in 2007 and 2008.
Ken McGrath
The stylish Mount Sion legend hung up his boots during the 2011 league. He returned as selector the following year during the turbulent start to Michael Ryan’s reign, after Nicky Cashin and Brother Philip Ryan stepped aside. His sessions sharpened Waterford’s hurling but work commitments meant he couldn’t continue into 2013.
Peter Queally
The former inter-county midfielder led the county U21s this year as they lost out narrowly to Clare in the Munster semi-final. He served as selector under Davy Fitzgerald in 2008 and 2009. On the club front, the CV of the Ballydurn clubman includes stints with Ballygunner and Youghal.
Paul Flynn
The 2004 All Star cut his coaching teeth with the Carlow U21s and the Down senior hurlers who claimed the Christy Ring Cup this year. He has also helped out at underage level with his club Ballygunner.
Donal O’Grady/Liam Sheedy
In terms of managers with a proven pedigree but no current inter-county engagements, this duo would top the list. However, it remains to be seen if either would be capable of committing the time required for the role.
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