Hurling & Camogie

Kilkenny ace Walsh linked to Antrim hurling vacancy

Former Kilkenny goalkeeper and Shinty manager Michael Walsh has been touted for the Antrim job
Former Kilkenny goalkeeper and Shinty manager Michael Walsh has been touted for the Antrim job Former Kilkenny goalkeeper and Shinty manager Michael Walsh has been touted for the Antrim job

FORMER Kilkenny goalkeeper and Shinty manager Michael Walsh has been linked to the Antrim senior hurling management post – but an appointment from within the county is still a strong possibility.

Loughgiel Shamrocks' All-Ireland winning manager PJ O’Mullan jr has already expressed an interest in the job after stepping down from club duties following their County Championship semi-final loss to Ruairi Og Cushendall last weekend.

It is believed Dunloy manager Gregory O’Kane was also considering throwing his hat in the ring while an O’Mullan-O’Kane joint ticket can’t be ruled out at this early stage.

It was rumoured that out-going Antrim manager Kevin Ryan was considering making a dramatic return to the job after stepping down over a month ago after three years in charge, as the Waterford native is still heavily involved with UUJ hurlers.

While managing Antrim Ryan was assisted by county secretary Frankie Quinn and the pair remain good friends, but a return to the post looks increasingly unlikely.

The Antrim County Board has tasked former Antrim great Ciaran Barr to find a successor to Ryan and Walsh’s name is the name that keeps cropping up.

A highly-rated goalkeeping coach, the 53-year-old Walsh managed the Kilkenny U21s between 2008 and 2011 and worked with some of the best players in Ulster in recent years as Shinty manager.

Walsh played for Kilkenny during the 1980s and won two All-Ireland titles, three Leinster crowns and scooped two Allstars. Only for the imperious leadership of Brian Cody, Walsh probably would have managed the Cats seniors by now.

If Walsh won the approval of the county committee, Antrim would be following the trend of recent years of appointing southern managers.

Tipperary native Dinny Cahill enjoyed two spells as Antrim senior manager, while Cork native Jerry Wallace stepped up from trainer to manager but his one year ended in abject failure.

The late Jim Nelson was persuaded to take the reins after Wallace stepped aside before the season had ended.

Kevin Ryan held the post for three seasons and while he made progress in his first two seasons, last year ended in major disappointment.

The Saffrons suffered the ignominy of relegation in both the League and Championship. Despite dropping out of the Leinster Championship and facing the prospect of playing Division Two hurling next season, many would argue that it is a good time to take the Antrim reins.

O’Mullan and O’Kane are certainly interesting candidates for the job. O’Kane, who won 10 Ulster titles with Antrim as a player during the last decade, has accrued a lot of sideline experience.

He worked under Dinny Cahill and for a short time under Wallace. He also improved standards at Jordanstown, he managed Ulster's Railway Cup team and has just completed two years as senior manager of his club Dunloy.

O’Mullan’s managerial CV is equally impressive having guided Loughgiel to an All-Ireland title in 2012 as well as winning four Antrim and Ulster crowns.

O’Mullan and O’Kane by themselves are very strong candidates but they might be even stronger should the pair decide to run on a joint ticket for the Antrim vacancy.