GAA News

As expected, former selector Eamon O’Shea has been ratified as the new manager of the Tipperary hurlers.

While Galway and Kilkenny prepare to do battle again this weekend for Liam MacCarthy, the 2010 winners got down to the business of picking a new boss last night.

After two years, and two Munster titles, Declan Ryan left his post as Premier boss after the exit to the Cats in this year’s All-Ireland semi-final. Immediately there were calls for O’Shea, a member of Liam Sheedy’s All-Ireland winning backroom team, to step in.

The NUIG lecturer has now accepted the role and another member of that victorious backroom team of 2010, Michael Ryan, is also expected to join up with the panel again.

O’Shea is seen as the man who devised the tactics that eventually saw Tipp beat Kilkenny in a big one, the 2010 final, and fans and players in the county are expected to welcome his appointment.

So should we as a competitive Tipperary, along with a coming Cork, a newly solid Galway and, of course, Kilkenny, should shape things up nicely for 2013.

Add in a hopefully revitalised Dublin, and coming teams in Clare and Limerick, and hurling could be very interesting indeed next season.