'No rise as quickly as Tipperary': Liam Cahill gives big indication on future

Tipperary manager Liam Cahill. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Liam Cahill has given the biggest indication yet that he will be remaining on as Tipperary senior hurling manager in 2027.

The Ballingarry man attended Thursday evening’s launch of the county’s five-year strategic “Premier Plan” in Nenagh’s Abbey Court Hotel where he gave an address. 

Last October, after leading Tipperary to an All-Ireland title, he was handed a two-year extension with the option of a third.

In his speech, Cahill spoke of giving Tipperary supporters something to cheer again next season and concluded it by adapting Dónal Óg Cusack’s claim about Tipperary earlier in the season that Tipperary fail as quickly as they rise. 

“No rise as quickly as Tipperary,” he said.

Speaking after May’s 17-point defeat to Limerick, which was their final game of the championship, Cahill said he expected to face scrutiny from the county board following a disappointing season.

“The county board will do their job. They are really supportive of all teams in Tipperary. They will do their duty of care to get in behind us. I will have some uncomfortable meetings with them, and they will ask the questions they are entitled to ask. We will see what answers we can come up with.” 

Former Tipperary SH manager Liam Sheedy, who chaired the committee that designed the plan, said the county’s training grounds as they stand in Coolmore Dr Morris Park are “not fit for purpose in terms of the environment we want to create and the experience we want to give to our young kids coming through”. 

Sheedy welcomed the generous donation of land by Coolmore so that Dr Morris Park can be extended to include three new floodlit pitches.

He maintained success for the county complements the club. 

“There's sometimes a narrative at times around our county that says, ‘Well if the county is winning, the club is losing.’ That never should be the case. Right? We need to win together. And when the county is winning, the clubs are winning and we all win together.

“It's probably 3% of our club players that represent the county teams with their club players first and foremost. You take what it would mean to Newport in time to have four minor players going out and playing on the inter-county team and having the biggest representation of all. That's nothing but a massive positive to prove. And every club needs to see that as being the case.” 

On participation, Sheedy continued: “We need to make sure that the longer we can keep our players in our clubs and there's maybe someone who doesn't want to play for Tipperary, but it's a much more complex world now than what I grew up in. The more we can keep them in our pitches, the better it's going to be.”

Regarding funding, the Portroe man believes the opportunity for Tipperary GAA is considerable. 

“I think people like to be attached with a brand that has a good track record currently and a massive potential to grow exponentially beyond that potential it is today.” 

No goals for teams are included in the plan but Cahill added: “We should try and grab the opportunity that we have to really consistently operate at the top tier of our sports in U17, U20s and senior, across all four sports. That's our vision all the time.”