Incoming GAA President Derek Kent: Hurling needs a lot of attention

CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION: Incoming GAA President Derek Kent reckons hurling needs attention, 'and a lot of attention', particularly in the weaker counties. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Incoming GAA President Derek Kent reckons hurling needs attention, 'and a lot of attention', particularly in the weaker counties.

Kent revealed his own personal plan for how an investment in coaching might work, suggesting that particularly passionate coaches could be attracted by full-time positions.

"I believe it needs most attention in a band of hurling counties that need support to stay in the Liam MacCarthy," said Kent, who was speaking on South East Radio.

"So if you look at Westmeath, if you look at Carlow, if you look at Kildare, Down, Antrim, our own Wexford, there's a number of counties that need support and help.

"I remember when I was Chairman of Wexford, eight or 10 years ago, and I looked at how we'd get coaching up to the standard.

"I looked at who wanted to coach and I remember seconding Willie Cleary to take three or four years away from his teaching role and to come into Wexford.

"Willie is passionate about it and I think we need to go and find another five or six more passionate people like that in Wexford, second them from their roles and give them specific roles in hurling and promoting it, in the schools and then on to the clubs.

"My belief is we should do it nationally, but that's only my own personal opinion."

Asked about the various hurling management positions in Wexford, Kent declined to say who he feels should fill them.

"I heard at the weekend that Liam Dunne is interested in the U-20, I think it's great that people of that calibre are putting their hand up and saying, 'we want to do it'," continued Kent.

Keith Rossiter stated after the Wexford seniors exited the Championship that he would take time to consider his position.

"Look, everyone has an opinion on change," said Kent. "I believe it's a tough role to be in that position. I worked with a couple of managers both in hurling and football. It's not easy. People have their own opinion, I'll keep mine to myself."

Kent similarly kept his counsel when asked about potentially lengthening the inter-county hurling season.

"If I said to you, 'Yes', it'll be a headline nationally," he commented, arguing that Wexford would still be involved in the All-Ireland series if they were good enough.

"That's the fact of it, it's not the Championship structure that stopped Wexford from hurling, it's our own structures within the county that didn't progress us as a hurling team in the top six or eight."

Kent said finding the ideal schedule is next to impossible.

"People want extra games, they want gaps between the games, they want two-week breaks, they want the ideal scenario - we're not going to get an ideal scenario with the window that we have. And you have to appreciate that we do have a club player."

Meanwhile, Wexford football captain Eoghan Nolan could miss Saturday's Tailteann Cup quarter-final against Offaly in Tullamore.

Nolan was taken off during Wexford's win over Leitrim having battled a recurring hamstring injury all season.

"We're going to give him every chance but it might come a little bit too early for him," said Hegarty.

On opponents Offaly, who defeated Down in Round 2A, Hegarty suggested they're the tournament favourites, despite former champions Down still being involved.

"Their results to date would make them the standout team on form in the Tailteann Cup, ahead of ourselves, ahead of Down, ahead of everybody else," said Hegarty.