Cahill has high hopes for second Antrim stint

Dinny Cahill has been appointed as Antrim's senior hurling manager for the second time this decade, succeeding the joint management team of Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton and Dominic McKinley.

Tipperary native Cahill, who was previously involved with Antrim between 2002 and 2005, returns to the Saffron county after successful seasons coaching Portumna to All-Ireland club success and this year managing Graigue-Ballycallan to the quarter-finals of the Kilkenny Championship.

Corkman Bob Thornhill from the Blackrock club will be part of his backroom team, while former Antrim player Gregory O'Kane is currently considering his commitments after being asked to be involved in the managerial set-up.

O'Kane hit four points from play in Dunloy's recent Ulster club final win over Ballycran and will be involved in the All-Ireland series in the new year.

Delighted to be back managing Antrim, Cahill said: "I believe that I now have a chance to address what feels like unfinished business. When I first went up to Antrim, I had just finished coaching Tipperary minors and we were lucky enough to achieve All-Ireland success at that time.

"I was relatively inexperienced then as far as senior inter-county management was concerned. Through my previous involvement with Antrim and more recently with Portumna and Graigue-Ballycallan, I have gained extensive experience to assist me in this new challenge.

"With the right commitment from players, clubs and supporters in Antrim, we can build a more consistent and successful future for the county.

"This has to be a co-ordinated effort where we improve standards, not just a senior county level but right throughout the clubs from adult down to juvenile.

"I'm looking forward meeting with players, supporters and club and county officials," he added.

Cahill has a tough act to follow as McNaughton and McKinley guided Antrim to three Ulster SHC titles and a Walsh Cup success in a three-year span before they stepped down in August.

However, it is in the All-Ireland Championship that Antrim have struggled in recent years and their move into Leinster failed to pay off this summer, falling at the first hurdle to Dublin.

They also lost to Laois and Offaly in the qualifier and relegation phases respectively.

Antrim Co chairman John McSparran believes that Cahill is the man to turn the Saffrons' Championship fortunes around.

"We were determined when we set out in this process that we would put together a team of people who were committed to this county, who had experience in coaching at the highest level and were ambitious for Antrim hurling," explained McSparran.

"Dinny Cahill's previous experience of the unique difficulties faced by us was vital and his commitment to make the long trip at least twice weekly proves that his passion for the game is undeniable.

"I'm delighted that he is bringing Bob with him as it adds a new dimension to this management team that can only bring something new and refreshing.

"I want to encourage all Antrim gaels to get behind the hurlers and hopefully our supporters will get to enjoy greater success in 2010."

Next year's campaign will begin for Cahill and company with a Walsh Cup outing against UCD on January 24.

The Ulster champions will kickstart their National League Division 2 run against Carlow the following month, while the recent draw has handed them a Leinster SHC quarter-final tie against Offaly in the summer.