03 November 2009
Antrim County Management Committee is delighted to announce that their search for a senior hurling management team has concluded.
The new management team will be lead by Dinny Cahill who brings with him Bob Thornhill from the Blackrock club in Cork. Former Antrim player Gregory O’Kane has expressed his delight at being asked to join this team and is currently considering his commitments. His club is due to continue in the All Ireland series in the New Year and he has been a pivotal player for the Cuchullian’s in their pursuit of county, provincial and national titles.
Tipperary native Dinny Cahill, who was previously involved with Antrim from 2002 to 2005, returns to the Saffron County after successful seasons coaching Portumna to All Ireland club success and this year managing the Graigue-Ballycallan club to the quarter-finals of the Kilkenny county championship. He will be joined by Corkonian Bob Thornhill from the Blackrock club who has been involved with various Cork hurling teams for a number of years.
Cahill expressed his delight at being chosen to return to the county where cut his teeth at senior inter-county management. “I believe that I now have a chance to address what feels like unfinished business. When I first went up to Antrim I had just finished coaching Tipperary minors and we were lucky enough to achieve All Ireland success at that time. I was relatively inexperienced then as far as senior inter-county management was concerned. Through my previous involvement with Antrim and more recently with Portumna and Graigue-Ballycallan, I have gained extensive experience to assist me in this new challenge. With the right commitment from players, clubs and supporters in Antrim we can build a more consistent and successful future for the county. This has to be a co-ordinated effort where we improve standards, not just a senior county level but right throughout the clubs from adult down to juvenile. I am looking forward meeting with players, supporters and club and county officials”.
Welcoming the return of Cahill to the Glens, Antrim county chairman John McSparran was glad to have a management team in place after an extensive search the length and breadth of the country. “We were determined when we set out in this process that we would put together a team of people who were committed to this county, who had experience in coaching at the highest level and were ambitious for Antrim hurling. Dinny Cahill’s previous experience of the unique difficulties faced by us was vital and his commitment to make the long trip at least twice weekly proves that his passion for the game is undeniable. I am delighted that he is bringing Bob with him as it adds a new dimension to this management team that can only bring something new and refreshing. I want to encourage all Antrim gaels to get behind the hurlers and hopefully our supporters will get to enjoy greater success in 2010”
