Henry Shefflin takes first step into management

He has all the credentials.

Kilkenny legend Henry Shefflin will co-manage the Ballyhale Shamrocks senior hurling team for the 2018 season with his brother Tommy, according to reports from the Kilkenny People. This is the 38-year-olds first time to enter the GAA management sphere, but his leadership qualities on the field of play always marked him out as the perfect candidate to take the plunge. He has been a pundit on The Sunday Game since his retirement from inter-county hurling in 2014. The 10-time Celtic Cross winner had been playing with his club last season in their march to the semi-finals of the senior competition. He was a limited to a substitute role for much of this campaign, and the latest news may mean his playing career is now over. Ballyhale Shamrocks are the most successful club team in Ireland, with Shefflin himself playing a part in three of their six All-Ireland winning sides. Shefflin's brother Tommy led Carrickshock to their county, Leinster and All-Ireland intermediate title wins in 2017, and the pair join up to manage their home club in what is an exciting move for Ballyhale for 2018.