Back in October, Laois GAA confirmed the management team that would be in place for the Laois Senior Hurlers for 2024.
The management team for the Laois senior hurlers has been confirmed for the 2024 season.
There are several changes to Willie Maher’s backroom team from 2023 with just Ballinakill’s Eamon Jackman remaining in the role of coach/selector.
Waterford’s Dan Shanahan has returned to his native county to take a role with the U-20s.
While Waterford’s Shane O’Sullivan (coaches) and Kildare’s Cathal Murtagh (S&C) are not involved.
Former Tipperary hurler Brian Horgan has been added as a selector/coach.
He was an All-Ireland-winning selector with the Tipperary minor team in 2012 and spent time with the Tipperary seniors after that.
While Waterford native Michael Connolly, from Fourmilewater, who was previously the Dublin GAA Development Manager, is also on board.
Kildare native Paul Dermody, who previously worked under David Herity in his native county, has been installed as the goalkeeper coach.
Paul, who is a member of the Eire Og Chorra Choill Hurling Club, retired from inter-county hurling in 2018 having played with Kildare for a total of ten years.
He won Keogh cups, league titles and two Christy Ring Cups in his playing career with Kildare.
Meanwhile, a familiar face to some of the Laois players has also returned to the fold.
Strength and Conditioning coach Dave Moriarty has been involved in countless teams over the years and seems to set squads alight wherever he goes.
He most recently worked in Laois alongside Eddie Brennan during his term in charge – winning the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2019.
The Limerick man has been involved in the physical preparation of field-based squads for the past 20 years.
Among these include hurling and Gaelic football teams in Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, and Cork, winning two county titles in Limerick and Cork.
His vast experience includes working with inter-county teams such as the Limerick football team for fours years, three years with the Limerick hurlers and three years with the Tipperary footballers.
He has also assisted both the Tipperary and Wexford senior hurling teams in the past.
Not leaving his skills just to hurling or football, Moriarty has also served as a conditioning coach to his own rugby club, Young Munster RFC in Limerick.
Alison Holmes is the physio, Rachel Walsh is the masseur, John Paul Campion is the team doctor while Caoimhe Kenny is in charge of nutrition.
Clonad’s David O’Brien remains as team secretary and head of logistics while Pat Delaney is once again the kitman alongside PJ Harding.
Laois will begin their campaign in the Walsh Cup around Christmas before taking part in Division 2 of the National League in the Spring.
LAOIS SENIOR HURLING MANAGEMENT TEAM 2024
Manager: Willie Maher
Coach/Selector: Brian Horgan
Coach/Selector: Michael Connolly
Coach/Selector: Eamon Jackman (Ballinakill)
Goalkeeper Coach: Paul Dermody
Strength and Conditioning: Dave Moriarty
Physio: Alison Holmes
Masseur/Physical Therapist: Rachel Walsh
Doctor: John Paul Campion
Nutrition: Caoimhe Kenny
Match Analysis/Video Recording: TBC
Liaison(Team Secretary)/Logistics: David O’Brien
Kitman: Pat Delaney and PJ Harding
