Sheedy is learning along with his players

Nothing in life stands still and that is certainly the case for Liam Sheedy as his second term as Tipperary senior hurling manager gets underway in earnest next Saturday when the Allianz League commences.

It’s into the ninth year since Sheedy shocked everyone by stepping down as manager in the wake of the 2010 All Ireland success and while hurling was evolving towards the end of his term with short puckouts and strategies, it has grown to a whole new level.

“The amount of work that goes on outside the pitch now is gone to a whole new level so that is something I wouldn't have been accustomed to previously,” admitted Sheedy.

“A lot of the work going on, on the pitch, hasn't changed dramatically but I suppose it was still in the conventional style set-ups when I was there previously whereas the conventional nowadays with all six forwards, six backs and two midfielders is a thing of the past.”

However, that doesn’t suggest Sheedy needs time to catch up as he along with Eamonn O’Shea and Michael Ryan brought their own nuances to the game between 2008 and 2010, particularly the All Ireland winning year in which their short puckouts caught Waterford out in the All Ireland semi-final, plus the ability to isolate Kilkenny defenders in that final.

However, that came at the end of the third year of the first Sheedy reign in which the players knew exactly what was required. It’s just nine weeks since he, Tommy Dunne and Darragh Egan have began their work with the 39 man panel and while they suffered a setback in the Munster League final against Clare, it is about looking at the bigger picture according to the Tipperary manager.

“We have obviously learned a nice bit over the Munster League.

“It's been a very good venture for us and we'll obviously need to learn quickly because we weren't happy with the goals let in (v Clare).