DEREK MCGRATH HAS assembled a star-studded backroom team as he attempts to pip Peter Queally in the race to become Waterford’s new senior hurling team manager.
Queally remains the favourite to succeed Michael Ryan in the position but it has emerged that Déise hero Dan Shanahan and William Maher, who guided Tipperary to All-Ireland minor glory in 2012, have agreed to come on board with McGrath.
And if McGrath does get the nod, Frank Flannery, the former Cork IT Fitzgibbon Cup coach who also coached the Cork minors this year, will also assist him.
Flannery was in charge of CIT when they lost the 2009 Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final and he also led Milford to All-Ireland senior camogie club glory last March.
According to well-placed Waterford sources, highly rated sport psychologist Caroline Currid will also work with the team next year if McGrath is manager.
Currid assisted the Tipperary senior hurlers in 2010 when they won the All-Ireland and the Sligo native was also involved in All-Ireland SFC successes with Tyrone and Dublin in recent times.
The high-calibre nature of McGrath’s set-up could convince the committee that will bring a name forward for ratification this evening that he is the man to take Waterford forward.
And the news that former attacker Shanahan, a four-time Munster SHC medallist and holder of three All Star awards, is on board will strengthen McGrath’s hand considerably.
De La Salle’s 2012 county SHC winning manager has also convinced Maher that his next coaching role should be with Waterford.
Waterford top brass are expected to unveil their new manager tonight and Queally remains in pole position after managing Passage to an historic county SHC success eight days ago.
A committee made up of county board officials and former teammates James Murray and Stephen Frampton interviewed Queally for the role last Wednesday night.
Waterford’s Peter Queally.
Pic: INPHO/Ken Sutton
It is understood that Queally will enlist the services of Darragh Duggan and Darragh O’Sullivan, brother of current Waterford star Shane, if he is the preferred choice.
Duggan is the Tipperary native who masterminded back-to-back Harty Cup titles for Coláiste na nDéise (Dungarvan Colleges) in 2012 and 2013.
Under Duggan’s watch, Dungarvan Colleges were also crowned All-Ireland (Croke Cup) winners this year.
O’Sullivan, meanwhile, is a Ballygunner stalwart who won a 2001 Munster senior club medal.
