Just over a year after calling time on a glittering playing career that saw him win 10 All-Ireland titles and 11 All-Stars, Henry Shefflin feels he is getting to grips with life observing rather than dictating a game.
The Kilkenny great, an analyst for RTÉ Television and Radio, admits that critically evaluating his former team-mates took some getting used to initially but he is now more comfortable with the idea.
“I think I’ll have to do it more and more. It’ll be easier this year," he said.
“Last year I retired in March, so you know exactly what the players are going through.
“I was living with the lads for 10 years, some of them, and was still in contact with them during the summer, wishing them well etc.
“But I’ve been separated from them now and it’s like life in general, people start to drift and you’re in contact as much.
“You do become detached. I’m a Kilkenny man and always will be but [people] do understand what you’re trying to say and get across on the TV or radio.”
“I’m probably more comfortable in the analyst’s chair this year and I’m looking forward to it."
"I’m probably more comfortable in the analyst’s chair this year and I’m looking forward to it"
Shefflin will be on duty for The Sunday Game Live this weekend as Tipperary take on Cork in the Munster SHC quarter-final.
He's expecting a good battle, and expresses a slight preference for Tipp.
“I’ve no doubt that Cork will be highly motivated playing Tipperary and as a one-off game you just don’t know what’s going to happen," he said.
“Cork have the hurlers, they just haven’t had the performances the last few years.
"Tipperary have been lacking a bit of leadership when the real crunch has come.
“When you think of the last two All-Irelands, the semi-final against Galway last year... even the league was a great chance for them to lay down a marker, like Clare have done.
“They were probably the better team in Ennis in the quarter-final but again, when push came to shove they just didn’t have it.
“That’s what makes for a great game at the weekend. They both have highly talented individuals but I think Tipp have more of them.”
Dublin v Wexford (Saturday 7.15pm) and Tipperary v Cork (Sunday 4pm) will be shown live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, with live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 and live blogs on RTE.ie
