Updated 16.15, 29 December
BRENDAN BUGLER HAS been announced as the new manager of Offaly senior hurling side Birr.
The two-time All-Star retired from inter-county duty with Clare in 2017 and he most recently worked as coach with Wexford.
Birr were beaten finalists in 2019 and remain among the frontrunners for the Sean Robbins Cup in Offaly. Former Roscommon GAA head of athletic performance David Mannix also joins as strength and conditioning coach, while Noel Considine is set to take up the role of goalkeeping coach following his departure from Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford backroom.
We are delighted to announce former Clare star Brendan Bugler as our senior manager for 2021.
— Birr GAA (@BirrCLG) December 28, 2020
Dave Mannix (Head of Athletic Performance with Roscommon GAA) will work with him as strength and conditioning coach.
We wish Brendan and his team the best of luck for 2021 #biorraabú pic.twitter.com/LznTjEyI4v
Whitegate native Bugler takes charge of one of the most successful club sides in the country, with four All-Ireland SHC crowns to their name.
An All-Ireland winner with the Banner in 2013, Bugler was part of his former manager Davy Fitzgerald’s backroom team in 2020 but departed the set-up after one season.
He cited the lengthy commute to Wexford as the main reason for his departure, with a young family at home and a coaching role at St Flannan’s College in Ennis, where he teaches, among his other commitments.
Meanwhile, Westmeath boss Jack Cooney has added former Dublin ladies football strength and conditioning coach Ken Robinson to his backroom team.
Robinson was a key cog under Mick Bohan as Dublin landed four successive All-Ireland ladies football crowns.
Four great years and the end of a tremendous journey and best wishes to @dublinladiesg for the future 💙
— Ken Robinson (@robinsonke) December 21, 2020
He previously worked with Ballymun Kickham and the Dublin hurlers. He is the CEO of DCU Sport and is a lecturer on Sports Management at UCD.
Former Garrycastle and Westmeath goalkeeper Cathal Mullen has also joined Cooney’s coaching ticket.
