Eddie Brennan joined Joe Molloy on Off The Ball on Wednesday to discuss Henry Shefflin's appointment in Galway.
Henry Shefflin shocked the GAA world and everyone else on Wednesday.
Shefflin has been confirmed as the new boss of the Galway Senior Hurling team and he will bring former teammate Richie O'Neill with him. Davy Fitzgerald was reported to be the new Galway manager on Tuesday but Shefflin was surprisingly announced today. The 10-time All-Ireland winner and Kilkenny legend is arguably the best hurler of this century.
But it's not just that, he's also proven himself as a manager in club hurling. Shefflin won two All-Irelands with Ballyhale Shamrocks and went unbeaten in 17 championship games over two seasons.
Shefflin has proven his mettle as a hurling man. Now he gets the chance to prove himself as a hurling manager at the intercounty level. Maybe Joe Canning will even consider coming out of retirement.
Eddie Brennan won just the eight All-Irelands with Kilkenny and was a teammate of Shefflin's.
"It's a huge, huge story," Brennan said.
"We're still very much in the dark for the details because it looked very much like a done deal for Davy Fitz. It reminds me of the Liam Sheedy back to Tipp story there from a couple of years ago....he obviously went into Ballyhale at a good time and I think equally he stepped out with a good reputation.
"It enhanced his reputation and proved his credentials as a manager."
Brennan believes that Shefflin is built for this opportunity.
"Henry has definitely shown that he can do it. If you were to stand back as a hurling person and look at that Galway squad, there's huge appeal in wanting to work with a bunch of players like that. Is Joe Canning's story going to be revisited now?"
Canning retired this year at 33 years of age. 15 years ago, when Shefflin was in his prime, Canning would have been an emerging teenager. He was the next superstar forward following on from Shefflin, so Shefflin undoubtedly inspired Canning.
The aura that Shefflin carries for players of Canning's age will at least peak the Galway star's interest.
And if that happens, Brennan describes Shefflin as the right personality to inspire on a personal level too.
"I've seen more naturally skillful hurlers in the Kilkenny team than [Shefflin].
"Now, Henry was a very skillful hurler don't get me wrong on that, but he worked so hard. So in terms of graft and work rate and what you need to be the best...in terms of resilience and all those aspects that question or throw down challenges to great players, he's seen them all and he's come through them all.
"He was a good guy to speak. There wasn't really waffle with anything he said. If he said something, you would be tuned in. You'd listen to it."
A manager's personality is always important and how someone led as a player can act as a clue to how they will as a manager. Brennan was inspired by Shefflin and has one specific example that stuck with him over the years.
"2008. Henry was going to miss the Friday night before an All-Ireland semi final. And he spoke to the group the Tuesday night. He'd a family wedding or something like that. On Tuesday night, he just said to us 'Look lads, I have to get myself right. I cannot be concerned with everyone else you know. It's up to ye individually to get yourselves right.'
"And initially I was thinking that sounded a bit selfish but when I actually reflected on it I thought about it. It was the exact way that any player has to be. You get yourself right. You don't worry about inspiring other people. Ultimately what I took from that was I was inspired by Henry's mindset, his approach and what he was thinking.
"If I'm thinking like that and I get myself right, that's my job done."
"And from a group perspective, if everybody does that and you bring it together, that's what maybe is going to lead to success."
Galway hurling is typically full of talented players, but they just haven't put it together at the highest level often enough. Brennan is excited by the prospect of what Shefflin gets to work with and how he can bring his proven ability as a winner to a group that needs direction.
"I think there's some really good talent there."
Henry Shefflin named Galway hurling manager.
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