Sheedy: ‘Tipperary right now are outside top six’

Liam Sheedy’s second term in charge of Tipperary gets underway against the All-Ireland champions this evening at the Gaelic Grounds (7.30pm) and the Portroe man can’t wait to get started.

Sheedy: ‘Tipperary right now are outside top six’

Liam Sheedy’s second term in charge of Tipperary gets underway against the All-Ireland champions this evening at the Gaelic Grounds (7.30pm) and the Portroe man can’t wait to get started.

He said the GAA landscape had changed enormously since he stepped down in 2010, shortly after guiding the Premier County to All-Ireland glory.

However, now he’s back in the hot seat and, while he is mixing the role with his job as provincial director of Bank of Ireland in Munster, Sheedy said he is relishing the task.

“It’s really enjoyable. I love being in around the dressing room. I love being in around good players. I love being in a set-up that is starting to come together as we go on a journey. Who knows where it will take us? Wherever it takes us, it won’t be for want of trying.

“In the last two years, I have been back working in Munster versus working in Dublin. You just can’t manage the Tipperary team if you’re operating around the M50.

“The journey time up and down is really tough, so it is going to require me to be very disciplined in terms of managing my time. Obviously, being provincial director with Bank of Ireland, trying to manage an inter-county team is not easy. It might feel professional, but there is a day job to be done as well. There are 168 hours in the week; I’ve got to be very selfish with my time and manage it all well.

“I would see it as being an exciting project. Obviously, the competitive terrain that you find yourself in is as strong as it has ever been and as competitive as it has ever been. You see the way the three teams from Munster represented themselves in the All-Ireland semi-final stages [this season].

One of them got their hands on the trophy, but the other two were probably saying we were so close. That is the arena you find yourself in.

“The bottom line is Tipperary right now are outside the top six. If I look at my short-term goal, it is how can we catapult ourselves into the top six and look to get into the quarter-final stage.”

The change to the Munster championship is one of the major differences from his previous stint as manager, but off the field things have altered dramatically as well.

“I even see from my time versus now, the game has moved on, the whole size of your backroom team. It’s going to a new level all the time. I don’t know where it will stop, but we’ll try and catch up with it over the next few months.

“It’s very, very full-on. These players are willing to do whatever it takes to be successful. You see the hurling championship now, it’s probably at its most competitive ever.

“I think the game of hurling has moved to a whole new platform and level versus other sports. Not just in Ireland. It has taken off. I know it’s challenging asking players to play four games in 21 days but I think some of the tweaks they’ve made for 2019 will make that better [in terms of the scheduling].

You go to manage energy, you got to manage time and you really got to manage quality. With all the boxes you’re trying to tick in terms of the physical side, skill side, and the whole belief systems, there is a lot to get through and managing all of that is a big deal.

Delivering another All-Ireland for Tipperary is the primary objective, of course, but he doesn’t feel he’s under any extra pressure having come back into the job after securing a previous title.

“Anyone that is involved in a team is anxious to get to the summit, that’s just a given. I don’t feel any pressure. Not an ounce of it. I’m free as a bird. I’m going in, working with a new team. It’s 10 years on, a new group of players. I’m going to give it 100% to get the team to play to its potential. Wherever that takes us, I’m excited about it.”

He gets his first taste of it again this evening in the Gaelic Grounds in what he hopes will be the first step towards relieving Limerick of the All-Ireland crown.

more courts articles

Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape
Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother

More in this section

Back-to-back titles for Spioraid Naoimh after win over 14-man Clonakilty Community College Back-to-back titles for Spioraid Naoimh after win over 14-man Clonakilty Community College
Kildare v Louth - Allianz Football League Division 2 Cards to carry if there is extra-time in football finals
Donegal v Tyrone - Electric Ireland Ulster GAA Minor Football Championship Final Tyrone U20s edge Derry in dramatic finish after tactical battle
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited