James Stephens are looking for a new manager with the news that Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett has stepped away from the role.
James Stephens are looking for a new manager with the news that Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett has stepped away from the role.
The Laois native joined the club in 2019 and brought The Village to the cusp of beating back-to-back All-Ireland club kings Ballyhale in this year’s Kilkenny championship.
The Shamrocks ultimately won 3-22 to 1-26, but the city side has shown clear improvement from their final defeat to the same opposition in 2019.
Cheddar is a highly respected figure in the game of hurling and is sure to be in high demand ahead of the new season.
The Portlaoise man took over his county side in 2013 and helped improve their lot massively during his stint in charge.
That included pushing Galway to the brink in the 2014 Leinster championship, and a first win over neighbours Offaly for 42 years a season later.
Eoin Reilly, who had a last-gasp shot saved against the Tribesmen in that 2014 classic, was effusive in his praise of the manager in 2015.
“There’s not a player that doesn’t have 100 per cent respect and commitment for Cheddar Plunkett,” Reilly said. “It’s what he’s brought to the table.
“The managers before that would have had mixed dressing rooms and that, with managers from outside the county but Cheddar just… players would die on the field for him literally and they have done that since he took over three years ago.
“He brought Laois from a very very bad place in hurling, and where he has brought us to now; every game you go to play there is a chance you are going to win.
“Whereas before it was just not a nice dressing room to be in before some games.”
The Village job is seen as an attractive one, given their age profile and upward trajectory.
