Sheedy faces similar challenges from first coming

If we learned one thing from the recent speculation regarding Tipperary’s new manager it is that even “reliable sources” can be notoriously unreliable.

Whatever the inevitable nature of gossip the county can be said to be fortunate to have had a few clear candidates with decent track records. It is no disrespect to any of them to suggest that when Liam Sheedy was available he was the obvious choice.

Those commentators who have pointed out that going back is never a good idea have plenty of evidence to bolster the view that probably has its origins in the image of the heavyweight who just could not find it within himself to hang up the gloves for the last time. There are other examples, notably Jack O’Connor and Kevin Heffernan, who went back and won All-Ireland titles and certainly do not fit the old received narrative. In that sense Liam Sheedy is opening a blank page – the story his own to write. In every other sense the story has very familiar themes.

When Sheedy originally took over he was inheriting a situation that was in a shambolic state with defeat against a very ordinary Wexford team in the 2007 All-Ireland quarter-final as unsurprising a ‘surprise’ result as could have been imagined. Tipp scored from play 13 times to Wexford’s eight yet looked vulnerable throughout. The story of that time has tended to be recounted to the detriment of Sheedy’s direct predecessor. Indeed at least one player from that time is still known the regale barflies with stories of his actions towards Babs Keating. The funny thing is that at the time this brave soul denied publicly the very accusations he now recounts as his party-piece. While such farcical carry-on is hopefully now consigned to the margins the yarns which have bedevilled the squad in recent years will be part of the challenge for the new manager.

 

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