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John Mullane calls for inter-county managers to be paid a full wage - 'It’s a full-time job'

Mullane says Derek McGrath is putting at least 60 to 70 hours a week into his role as Waterford boss.

FORMER WATERFORD STAR John Mullane says inter-county managers deserve to receive a full salary rather than just expenses, given the amount of time they put into the job.

Deise manager Derek McGrath recently announced his decision to take a career break from his secondary school teaching position in order to focus fully on Waterford’s All-Ireland title challenge.

McGrath, who is Mullane’s brother-in-law, said last month he took the decision when it became clear that hurling was beginning to affect his performance in the classroom.

“100 percent they deserve to be paid,” Mullane said at the launch of RTÉ’s championship coverage for 2017.

“At the end of the day, the buck stops with the manager. Albeit when a team wins they get applauded but you have to look at the other side of it too.

“When a team loses the manager seems to get all the blame. I’d have no problem with any manager getting paid. I think any manager getting paid now – we have to remember it’s 2017. They fully deserve to get paid.”

Launch of RTÉ Sport's 2017 GAA Championship Coverage Pundits and commentators at the launch of RTÉ Sport's 2017 GAA Championship coverage Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Given the time involved to take charge of an inter-county side in the modern game, Mullane believes compensating inter-county managers is a no-brainer.

“It’s a full-time job,” he continued. “I see it myself, (Derek) is probably investing 60 to 70 hours a week, probably even more.

“He has to manage 30-odd lads. Manage everything day-to-day. Video analysis. Look after the finance end of it. Make sure everything is in tune with the county board. Plus there is an awful lot of pressure that comes with it as well.”

When asked if he felt players would be happy to stay amateur if managers were to start getting paid, Mullane replied: “I don’t think players would have any problem with managers getting paid.

“At the end of the day, a player turns up, goes training, does his shift. And then he’s able to go home without thinking about it. A manager, it’s never-ending.”

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