Former Kilkenny star Michael Fennelly is to become the next Offaly senior hurling manager.
The news comes as something of a surprise given Fennelly’s managerial inexperience though his rich pedigree as a player ensures that the appointment will be warmly received in the county after several barren years.
The 34-year-old won eight All-Ireland medals in a glittering career. He captained Kilkenny to the four-in-a-row in 2009 and he was Hurler of the Year two years later.
He will he proposed for a two-year term with the option for a third and is expected to be ratified at next month’s county board meeting. He will take charge with Offaly at their lowest ebb as they start 2020 in Division 2A of the Allianz League before competing in the Christy Ring Cup after successive championship relegations.
Fennelly won his fourth All-Ireland club medal earlier this year with Ballyhale Shamrocks on the playing field.
He was also involved with Kildare senior footballers as a performance coach and is the third Kilkenny native to manage Offaly after Diarmuid Healy and Georgie Leahy back in the 80s.
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