RTÉ hurling analyst Tómas Mulcahy has endorsed the appointment of Ger Cunningham as the new Dublin manager and has also welcomed Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s decision to remain in the Cork hot-seat.
Cunningham has agreed a three-year term with the Metropolitans after succeeding Anthony Daly.
Mulcahy, who lined out on the same Cork team as both Cunningham and Barry-Murphy during his playing days, highlighted the impact fresh faces and new ideas could have on Dublin’s hurlers.
“The key thing is he’s bringing a new voice to the table,” the three-time All-Ireland champion told RTÉ Sport.
“Anthony Daly did a fantastic job with Dublin, but you know, all these things can’t go on forever. Sometimes within a team game a new voice, a new dimension, a new backroom team will bring a lot to the table.
“Ger is an excellent coach. He’s fantastic at the very basics of the game and he will put a lot of emphasis on ensuring the skill element of the game.
“A lot of the managers are getting huge credit for what they deliver on the big day, but sometimes your backroom team can be important as well.”
Mulcahy suggested that Barry-Murphy’s decision to continue his role with Cork was one that wasn’t arrived at easily, but believes the news will be welcomed by fans of the Rebels.
“Jimmy owes Cork hurling nothing,” Mulcahy insisted.
“Jimmy did need time out. I’m sure he’s still hurting from that collective collapse against Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final.
“Maybe he was feeling himself ‘have I taken the team as far as I can?’
“I think on Leeside everybody’s very happy that he’s made that choice again.
“Will he shake things up? Maybe he will.”
Mulcahy added that speculation that Cork’s inter-county players would have to make a choice between football and hurling could have huge ramifications for Barry-Murphy’s tenure.
“A lot of the papers have been quoted in the last couple of days that the dual stars will make a commitment to one sport, either hurling or football,” Mulcahy added.
“So that will be interesting for the likes of Eoin Cadogan, Aidan Walsh, Damien Cahalane and Alan Cadogan, who have played football and hurling.
“I think it will be very important for Jimmy going forward.”
