Former Tipperary manager Eamon O’Shea linked with Galway move

Former Tipperary manager Eamon O’Shea could be set for a sensational return to top-level inter-county coaching with Galway.

It is understood O’Shea, who managed Tipperary from 2013 until stepping aside following the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway in August, has been lined up by prospective new Tribes boss Michael Donoghue, if he is successful in his bid for the post vacated by Anthony Cunningham.

Galway sources have also indicated Josie Harte, the former Galway minor hurling manager, is also on Donoghue’s ticket. O’Shea cited travel commitments as one of the biggest problems he had to endure during his time with Tipp but linking up with Galway, where he is based, would not be an issue in this regard.

Donoghue is highly regarded in his own right, having guided Clarinbridge to All-Ireland Club glory in 2011. He was also a member of the Galway team that won the 1993 All-Ireland U21 hurling championship.

O’Shea and Donoghue have developed a close relationship in recent years and Donoghue helped out at stages behind the scenes when O’Shea was in charge of Tipperary.

O’Shea has also worked with a number of the current Galway players during his time at NUI Galway, where he is based as a professor of Economics.

Mattie Kenny, a former Galway selector with Cunningham, remains favourite for the post with the bookmakers, however. Kenny is current manager of Dublin senior hurling champions Cuala, who will contest the Leinster final against Oulart-the-Ballagh on Sunday week.

Meanwhile, Michael Ryan, O’Shea’s successor in Tipp, has drafted 1995 All-Ireland U21 winning captain Brian Horgan into his backroom team. Horgan, who worked as Kerry coach alongside newly-appointed Offaly manager Eamonn Kelly in 2014, will work with the Premier County as goalkeeping coach.

Horgan, from the Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams club, was also a selector alongside William Maher in 2012 when Tipperary won the All-Ireland minor hurling crown.

Ryan has been boosted by the news Seamus Kennedy is set to commit to the Tipperary senior hurlers next year.

Kennedy made his senior football championship debut for Tipp against Waterford in May and has been in superb form for Clonmel Commercials in their march to a Munster Club final against Nemo Rangers.

But he is also an accomplished hurler with the St Mary’s club in Clonmel. He has represented Tipperary in the minor and U21 grades and will be given a fresh chance to impress at senior level.

Kennedy’s loss is a blow to Liam Kearns, the incoming senior football manager.

And the ex-Limerick and Laois supremo could also lose the services of towering midfielder Steven O’Brien, who is mulling over an offer to link up with the senior hurlers.