Eamonn Kelly determined to build on ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s work at Laois

Eamonn Kelly insists he had no plans to return to senior inter-county hurling management until he was approached by Laois.

Kelly revealed that coach Conor Gleeson played a massive part in his decision to accept the O’Moore County post, after he served one year in charge of neighbours Offaly.

Tipperary native Kelly has also indicated that he would have found it difficult to continue with the Faithful County after he was subjected to vile personal abuse in the wake of a shock Leinster SHC round-robin defeat to Westmeath.