Andy Comerford - New Kildare Manager

[Dinny Breen]

09/11/2007

The way was cleared this evening for the appointment of Andy Comerford as manager of the Kildare Senior Hurling team.

Jody Murphy, the Hurling Board chairman, broke the news to the former Kilkenny All-Ireland winning captain, following tonight's meeting of the Management Committee.

Syl Merrins, County Board Chairman, - we understand - spoke to Comerford earlier today and reported back to the committee before it reached its decision.

The Hurling Board will ratify the appointment at its monthly meeting next Monday night, but it is not likely that Comerford himself will be at this meeting.

Hurling Board Secretary, Abby Murphy in confirming this evening's news, said she did not know when Comerford will meet the players nor when he will commence training.

"We will discuss this with him," she said.

"I am delighted with the outcome," added Ms Murphy, "and I wish him and all the players the very best in 2008."

The decision to appoint Comerford was made known to members of the Broadford club shortly before 10pm tonight.

Nick Sutton, Vice-Chairman of the Hurling Board, revealed the news at the club's monthly meeting after he had spoken by phone to Jody Murphy.

Comerford's brother Martin - a leading forward in the current Kilkenny team - is no stranger to Broadford's juvenile hurlers, having been here for a coaching camp and medals presentation.

Andy, we believe, worked in the area for awhile and his name was once suggested as a possible coach for the club's Intermediate team.

It is our understanding that he will be assisted by a trainer who will put the Lilywhites through tough physical training over the winter months, but Comerford himself will look after the coaching.

The management committee's sanctioning of Comerford's appointment this evening brings to an end a saga that was beginning to cause deep divisions between the Hurling Board and it.

Hurling Club delegates attended last Tuesday night's meeting of the County Board in order to emphasis their desire to have the Kilkenny man take charge of the county's hurling team.

Indeed, according to our sources many members of the Kildare team also wanted to attend the meeting and argue the case for Comerford's appointment.

That did not come to pass, but at that meeting County Chairman Syl Merrins asked for 'another 24 to 48 hours' to bring the matter to a conclusion and true to his word he did that tonight.

[heineken_on_tap]

Kildare are going for the big names this year - McGeeney first and now Comerford in the hurling. Good to see - hope he gets on well

[Gnevin]

How many hurling clubs are their down Kildare way?

[Dinny Breen]

How many hurling clubs are their down Kildare way?

Approx 25, only 10 clubs compete in the senior Championship and they would be all North Kildare..

[lynchbhoy]

How many hurling clubs are their down Kildare way?

Approx 25, only 10 clubs compete in the senior Championship and they would be all North Kildare..

all the trees were chopped down in south kildare 5 years ago to convert the mud huts to log cabin condos near train stations 

Andy Comerford eh- that will bring a new level of dirty play and lunacy to Kildare hurling!

[lynchbhoy]

How many hurling clubs are their down Kildare way?

Approx 25, only 10 clubs compete in the senior Championship and they would be all North Kildare..

being realistic - the answer is actually prob about 3

[Dinny Breen]

being realistic - the answer is actually prob about 3

Actually it would be about 7, very little between these sides...

Celbridge
Eire Og-Corra Choill
Coill Dubh
Confey
Leixlip
Ardclough
Naas

[lynchbhoy]

being realistic - the answer is actually prob about 3

Actually it would be about 7, very little between these sides...

Celbridge
Eire Og-Corra Choill
Coill Dubh
Confey
Leixlip
Ardclough
Naas

would have been thinking of Coill dubh, Ardclough and Clane
but know Eire og are up and down from year to year.
so clane gone the same way as the other former superpower - broadford.

the others are new and most likely full of Dub/culchy blow ins ! 

notice you didnt mention another see saw side closer to home...ros glas ...

[Dinny Breen]

otice you didnt mention another see saw side closer to home...ros glas ...

Shower of knackers, they played intermediate these days. Onced scored a hat-trick there for St Brigids......

[lynchbhoy]

otice you didnt mention another see saw side closer to home...ros glas ...

Shower of knackers, they played intermediate these days. Onced scored a hat-trick there for St Brigids......

they were a tad on the rough side alright...to be fair - how couldnt they be..
the coill dubh of south kildare (without the good hurlers)

[orangeman]

Good luck to Andy - a real tryer and a gentleman as well -