‘Henry will manage Cats one day’ – nine-time All Ireland winner Tommy Walsh
FORMER Kilkenny star and nine-time All-Ireland winner Tommy Walsh says he believes Henry Shefflin will manage the Cats one day.
But the Tullaroan legend says he isn’t sure if ‘King Henry’ will be the man to take Brian Cody’s managerial crown.
Shefflin has been a revelation in his first season as coach of his home club Ballyhale Shamrocks, guiding them to Kilkenny and Leinster senior club championships.
Speaking on Newstalk’s Off The Ball programme, Walsh admitted there will be a queue of former players who would like to take on the role in the future.
“I would predict success for some of those guys,” he said. “The likes of Jackie [Tyrrell], JJ [Delaney]. We’ve already seen what Henry is doing.”
He added: “Henry will get it at some stage. It all depends on what happens over the next few years.
“There’s a lot of good guys there in Kilkenny at the moment that are involved in underage set-ups that will throw their hats in the ring in time – if and when the job becomes available in a few years’ time.
“Henry’s won in his first year [as Ballyhale Shamrocks manager]. That’s not bad going. They were going for the club All Ireland in 2015 and seven of those guys are gone now. And he’s still achieved [the Kilkenny title].”
Brian Cody will lead Kilkenny into 2019 for what will be his 21st season in charge of the Cats.
