Did Joe Schmidt manage better than anyone else?

Winning the Six Nations, climbing to third in the world. Of course the Ireland rugby coach is manager of the year. Until you start examining the criteria for truly great team management.

Around the country, out there on the quiet fields, the small halls, in swimming pools before the crack of dawn, there are coaches that you’ll never hear of doing a masterful job.

For Paudie Butler, who even without a title or job from Croke Park these days is still spreading the hurling gospel across the land, the best coaches – any coach –overseeing youngsters should be governed by one constant question: “What does little Mary or John need from me today?”