DARRAGH CORCORAN HAS hailed Henry Shefflin’s appointment to manage his county as “massive for Kilkenny hurling”.

Under Shefflin’s guidance, the Cats centre-back won two All-Ireland Club titles with Ballyhale Shamrocks before adding another county title during Shefflin’s second coming in 2025.

“Henry is a club man. I was happy for him to get it. I wouldn’t say otherwise,” says Corcoran. 

“I’ve worked with Henry for a while. When I came up with Ballyhale first, my first two years up, he was manager and I built up a good relationship with him. He gave me my first start.

“Just from seeing him around the parish growing up, looking at him, he’s just a professional. He’s absolutely obsessed with hurling. That can’t but rub off on you. I’m very happy to see Henry in there.”

Corcoran feels Shefflin’s club and county experience, including a year with the Kilkenny U20s, will stand him in good stead.

“Everyone in Kilkenny would know Henry fairly well. Even the U20s, some of the lads from last year that will hopefully be on the Kilkenny team, will have known him. 

Henry Shefflin. Stephen Heaney / INPHO Stephen Heaney / INPHO / INPHO

“Everyone from the surrounding parishes, he worked with Thomastown as well, so everyone knows what he’s done in his career, and you’re only going to listen to a lad like that. 

“It’s massive for Kilkenny hurling and hopefully things will go a bit better next year.”

Corcoran also got to know new coach David Herity through his club involvement with Ballyhale last season. The former Kilkenny goalkeeper was part of the coaching team for Tipperary’s All-Ireland success in 2025.

“You can see what David Herity’s done,” says Corcoran. “He was with Kildare, he was with Tipp and sure they won the All-Ireland. 

“We had him with Ballyhale there last year. Again, he’s just a professional when it comes down to it. A lot of things he does with you, they do make sense, and he runs you through why these things will work. 

“I found him very good with Ballyhale this year, so I’m very excited to work with him with Kilkenny this year.”

Corcoran also expects to see TJ Reid back for his 21st season with the Kilkenny seniors in 2027.

“TJ is TJ. He just absolutely loves hurling, just loves it, and I have no doubt he’ll try to go again next year. He’ll be well able for it.

“It makes some difference having a lad like TJ around. He’s constantly down trying to improve himself still. The day after a game, he’s nearly the first man back in the gym recovering, and it’s nearly infectious when you see it because you can see what it takes, and you just want to follow that.

“He’s big into his recovery. Being involved in his gym inside, he’s always at it. He’s just doing all the right things. He’s very up-to-date with all the nutrition side of things as well. He’s really after moulding himself into a serious athlete.”