While it was once unfathomable to think who would want to take over the Kilkenny job after Brian Cody, nevermind be qualified, there now appears to be several former players waiting in the wings to succeed the legendary manager.
With the success of Laois hurling and their shock win over Dublin on the weekend, former Offaly hurler Daithí Regan says that Eddie Brennan has now joined the shortlist of former players who could succeed Cody when the veteran serial winner retires.
Speaking on Monday’s OTB AM, Regan highlighted that Brennan’s Laois side showed the hallmarks of a Cody team during Sunday’s victory over Dublin.
“Everything he has picked up over the years from Cody, you could see that yesterday it just flew through his players.”
Regan listed off Brennan, DJ Carey and Henry Shefflin all as possible and, more importantly, suitable successors to Cody.
“You're looking at what Eddie is doing, what DJ is doing and these are ambitious fellas. And if you're ambitious you want to train your own county.”
“Henry for obvious reasons, he has won a club All-Ireland final and he's a [former] player that is easy to listen to.”
Brennan left his post as manager of the Kilkenny U21s after two mixed years in charge during which time he came under criticism after a loss to Westmeath and defeat in an All-Ireland final. And, while Brennan could have moved away from the spotlight and out of management, Regan praised him for “sticking with the management game”.
“I feel for the likes of Eddie to go to counties like Laois is the right way forward because it builds character.
"You're going into a county who have been starved of success so what you need to do is invest the time, number one. But, also to convince a group of people that they are good enough to be able to play to a high-level not only to compete but actually win as well. That's a harder job that Eddie has, and that's why I admire what he's done with Laois.”
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