Shane Stapleton and Michael Verney debate who is the best hurling manager — with Brian Cody, Liam Sheedy, John Kiely and Davy Fitzgerald featuring heavily. Brought to you by 65Hurls.com.
Who is the best manager in hurling right now?
Shane Stapleton and Michael Verney tease out the debate before picking their number ones, in what proved to be a far from simple decision.
How much of what constitutes a great manager can be taken from bygone seasons, how much relates to head-to-head records between them, and does recent silverware count for more?
Liam Sheedy has led Tipperary to All-Ireland titles in his two most recent seasons as manager — 2010 and 2019 — but has he done enough in four seasons overall to be top of the list?
Brian Cody is widely regarded as the greatest manager of all time, yet he has not lifted championship silverware since the 2016 Leinster campaign.
John Kiely turned around Limerick and ended a 45-year famine, followed that up with league and Munster glory in 2019, yet lost out in a semi-final against the Cats.
While there is little doubting the Galbally man’s pedigree, and many make his Treaty side favourites for the 2020 All-Ireland, has he done enough at the top level?
There are many up-and-coming managers in hurling, but Davy Fitzgerald has seen it all since taking over Waterford in mid-2008.
He lifted a Munster crown with the Deise, an All-Ireland with his native Clare, and in 2019 ended Wexford’s long wait for Leinster glory.
No manager has won so much in so many different places. All of which leads to a meandering discussion about their respective merits.
Click play on the video at the top of the page to watch the discussion, and please feel free to give us your thoughts here, on our social channels, or on YouTube.
Brought to you by 65Hurls.com.
