LIAM Sheedy brought his second spell in charge of the Tipperary senior hurlers to an end yesterday.
Sheedy, who guided Tipp to the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2010, returned to achieve a second All-Ireland success with the Premier county in 2019. The last two years have witnessed less success, however, with Tipp exiting the All-Ireland at the quarter-final stage in 2020 to Galway, while they also lost a quarter-final this summer, to Waterford, following a second-half Munster final collapse against Limerick.
The Tipperary county board announced yesterday morning that the Portroe man had decided to "retire" from the position after his second three-year term in the role.
"When I returned towards the end of 2018 as Tipperary SH Manager, it was with the primary objective of Tipperary winning another All-Ireland SH championship,” Sheedy said in a statement.
“We did so in 2019 and having completed three years, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away. I have enjoyed the three years immensely and even though none of us expected or wished for the heartache and disruption that Covid-19 caused, I am well aware that sport, even when it was without attendances, played a big part in lifting people’s spirits in the last 12 months.”
Sheedy, who worked with the Antrim senior hurling panel during his hiatus from the Tipperary job, added: "I could not have undertaken this role without the help and support of so many people.
“I want to sincerely thank my wonderful management and backroom teams. Eamon, Tommy, Darragh and Eoin were excellent in all that they did and their dedication was exemplary. I could not have asked for a better team around me.
"The players I worked with over the last three years are an incredible group. Their ability, attitude and commitment were inspiring. I want to thank them all very much and wish them the very best for the future.”
Speculation has already begun over whether Tipperary native Liam Cahill will be tempted to leave his position in charge of Waterford for a crack at the Premier job.
