Brian Hogan leads impressive assembled backroom tea
Henry Shefflin has been named as the new manager of the Kilkenny U20 hurlers, in a move that has surprised many on Noreside. The County Board released a statement on Monday night advising of the appointment:
The decision not only to appoint the legendary ten-time All-Ireland winner, but to assemble such a strong management team will lead to high hopes that the structures are being put in place for the Cats to really challenge at the business end of the intercounty season at not only U20 level, but provide current senior boss Derek Lyng with more options for his panel as the Emeralds clubman seeks to end the Liam MacCarthy drought for the Noresiders. Eleven-time All Star Shefflin replaces Mark Dowling, whose three-year spell in charge of the U20’s came to an end in July, following defeat to Tipperary in the All-Ireland final.
Following a 3-year spell with the Tribesmen out west, which ended in July 2024, Shefflin returned to management earlier this year with his beloved Shamrocks Ballyhale, having previously led them to back-to-back All-Ireland club titles during his first spell in charge. Having last claimed the Tom Walsh Cup in 2022, King Henry appears to have instilled some belief and a spring in the steps of the Páirc na Seamróg outfit which has seen them qualify for the quarterfinals, where they will face-off against current county champions, Thomastown, who Henry managed while they were in the Intermediate ranks.
Assisting Shefflin will be his former teammate and current O’Loughlin Gaels manager, Brian Hogan. The Loughs clubman lifted Liam in the black and amber back in 2011 and is doing a great job with the St John’s Park side, having broken the Shamrocks domination in the senior championship and winning the provincial title also. Another man joining the U20 setup is one of Henry’s trusted lieutenants, Richie O’Neill. The Graigue Ballycallan man was with Henry in Ballyhale and during his stint in Galway. St Martin’s highly respected coach, Sean Kelly will hold the role of head coach while the ‘Boro’s James Gittens is on board as coach/selector. Another Gael with a growing reputation, Nathan Culleton of James Stephens will have the panel in top shape as strength and conditioning coach. Two further O’Loughlin’s men, Stephen Murphy and Fergal Brennan make up the management team in the roles of goalkeeping coach and performance analyst respectively.
This appointment will no doubt raise the possibility of Shefflin taking the reins at senior level when Derek Lyng steps aside. Lyng was recently ratified for a further 2-year term and has made changes to his management team ahead of next season, with Selectors and Coaches Michael Rice, Peter O’Donovan, Eddie Brennan and Niall Corcoran hoping to pave the way to senior glory for the Cats.
