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Sheedy backs Cahill to make positive impact with Waterford 

Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy is interviewed during the PwC All Star Hurling Tour at the Aloft Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi.

Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy is interviewed during the PwC All Star Hurling Tour at the Aloft Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi.

By John Harrington

Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy has backed is fellow county-man, Liam Cahill, to do a good job with the Waterford hurlers.

Cahill and his coach Michael Bevans have won minor, U-20, and U-21 All-Irelands with Tipperary in recent years but are making the step up to senior inter-county management for the first time.

“They are very good operators,” said Sheedy. “A string of titles behind them.

“Liam knows what it’s about. I’d say the same thing about Kieran Kingston in Cork and Brian Lohan in Clare, Shane O’Neill in Galway. These guys know what they’re at. All the management teams are very capable, very formidable…

“We’re all down at the bottom of the hill now, bursting to get up. It’s going to be another enthralling championship. Standards are very high.”

Tipperary haven’t won back to back All-Ireland titles since 1964/65 and Sheedy is adamant they’ll have to improve as a team in 2020 if they’re to successfully retain their title.

“We know starting out on the journey we'll have to be better in 2020,” he said. “We're all well aware of that. I mean, if we go into the Championship being the same as what we were last year we won't feature.

“We simply won't be in the knock-out stages. I think that's the opportunity for this group.

“As far as we're concerned the chapter is closed on 2019. We've got our medals and we've done very well and we're delighted.

“Only one team has the opportunity to go and win it again after winning it and we're thrilled to have that opportunity. What we'll focus on is just being better in 2020.

“I think if we are better than we were in 2019, that gives us a chance. And, if we're not, we'll be also-rans.

“Isn't that a wonderful opportunity for me and the lads? To be facing into it as reigning All-Ireland champions.

“As I said, we'll play 2020 on its merits and leave no stone unturned in terms of our preparation. I've met all the backroom team and they're all mad for action. Yeah, looking forward. Really looking forward.”