David Burke: Henry Shefflin 'probably takes Kilkenny job now'

Kilkenny manager Henry Shefflin during the Fulfil Leinster GAA U20 Hurling Championship final match between Kilkenny and Galway. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Galway great David Burke reckons former boss Henry Shefflin has always wanted to manage the Kilkenny seniors and will take the job now if it's offered.

The Cats have a vacancy following Derek Lyng's departure with current U-20s manager Shefflin and Kildare senior boss Brian Dowling the frontrunners.

Burke, who captained Galway to All-Ireland success in 2017, knows both of them well having played for three seasons under Shefflin and gone to college with Dowling at UL.

"Definitely, if you're Shefflin, he's looking up at wanting this job probably from day one," said Burke, who was speaking ahead of the Leinster SHC final involving Galway and Dublin.

"Any maybe (he was) going into Galway with an idea to come back...albeit he got no success in Galway. But I'd say it was definitely something that's probably on his radar. It has to be, I'd say.

"He probably didn't think the (senior) job would be there as soon as it would be when he went in with the 20s this year. So does he stay with them and do another year or two? Or does he take it? I'd say he probably takes it now, realistically."

Burke noted that Dowling's name has also been mentioned after guiding Kildare to back-to-back Ring and McDonagh Cup titles. Ex-Kilkenny senior Dowling has also enjoyed All-Ireland successes with St Kieran's College and Kilkenny camogie teams.

Burke's sense is that Kilkenny aren't too far off the pace and that it's a good time for a change of manager, despite Lyng's good work.

"I don't know if it's a massive thing of how they're playing or setting up," said Burke. "I think it's just time that there's a new manager that comes in and freshens things up and it'll get a bounce out of the players. They're still going to be dangerous."

On Galway's quest for a fourth Leinster SHC title, and their first since 2018, freshly retired Burke believes it could come down to their injury situation.

Cathal Mannion and Rory Burke didn't play in their last group game, while Daithí Burke picked up a fresh injury. Burke believes that if U-20 duo Aaron Niland and Jason Rabbitte are 'anyway right, they'll start'.

"When the team comes out, that's when you can make a call," said Burke, when asked for a prediction. "Because both camps have niggles. Liam Rushe got injured in the warm-up the last day for Dublin. And then Cathal with Galway and a few other lads picked up knocks."

Burke reckons that, like Dublin, Galway can run the ball up the pitch or play it long and early to the likes of Rabbitte and Conor Whelan.

And he has been impressed by his county's appetite this year.

"I know we mentioned the 20s lads but the other lads that have got in, the likes of Rory Burke, Darragh Neary, Cian Daniels, they've made a big difference as well," said Burke.

"Just the energy they've brought. Even take out the style of play, they've just brought that massive, 'I want to be playing, I want the jersey' dynamic. That's a huge thing, when you've a fresh load of lads coming in saying, 'I want the jersey'. It just brings up the intensity and standards a little bit more.

"But definitely looking to get this one done now if we can this weekend. After all the ones we've lost, it's definitely due."