Brennan, Fitzgerald and McGrath in the running as Kenny steps down as Dublin hurling manager 

Eddie Brennan, Davy Fitzgerald and Derek McGrath will be among the favourites to succeed Kenny.

STEPPING DOWN: Former Dublin manager Mattie Kenny

Eddie Brennan, Davy Fitzgerald and Derek McGrath are among the leading candidates to succeed Mattie Kenny as Dublin senior hurling manager after the Galway man stepped down earlier today.

Kenny, the two-time All-Ireland winning club manager with Cuala, announced his resignation having succeeded Pat Gilroy in September 2018.

Dublin failed to qualify from the Leinster SHC group this season. They lost to Cork in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final in Thurles having been beaten by them in the first round of the qualifiers the year before. The highlights of Kenny’s reign included Leinster SHC defeats of Galway in 2019 and ‘21. Kenny previously coached Galway alongside manager Anthony Cunningham when the county reached the All-Ireland final.

In a statement on the Dublin GAA website, Kenny said: “I have informed the Dublin County Board that I will not be seeking another term as senior hurling manager. Managing the Dublin senior hurling team for the last four years has been a great privilege and honour for me. We worked tirelessly in the effort to bring success to the county and our passionate band of Dublin supporters.

“I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and thank the Dublin County Board, the management committee and great staff and stewards in Parnell Park for their unwavering support for me and my management team and players during our tenure.

“I want to acknowledge and thank every member of my management team and backroom team for the massive contribution and commitment you have given to the preparation of the team during this period.

“I would like to thank our loyal supporters and ‘The Friends of Dublin Hurling’ for your massive support for the team, both in Parnell Park and at our away games all around the country.

“Finally, a special thank you to a fantastic group of players. The respect and togetherness within our group made it a joy to work with you every day during my term as manager, and while we didn’t achieve the targets we set out for ourselves, I fully believe the success you deserve will arrive in the coming seasons. Again, thanks and the best of luck to everyone involved with Dublin hurling.” 

Ex-Laois manager Brennan coached Cuala last year alongside manager John Twomey, while former Clare, Waterford and Wexford boss Fitzgerald is currently preparing Cork’s senior camogie team for an All-Ireland semi-final. McGrath has been working with Laois minors and Wexford club Faythe Harriers since he stepped away from the Déise in 2018.