by Jackie Cahill

Galway senior hurling manager Micheál Donoghue has pulled off a major coup by taking highly-rated strength and conditioning coach Lukasz Kirszenstein from All-Ireland champions Tipperary.

Donoghue watched Polish native Kirszenstein at close quarters when he was involved with Tipp in a backroom capacity alongside former manager Eamon O'Shea in 2014 and 2015.

And having learned that Limerick-based Kirszenstein was available, Donoghue moved quickly to secure his services, leaving Premier County manager Michael Ryan with a void to fill.

The search is underway for Kirszenstein's successor but it is understood that former Olympic sprinter Gary Ryan is remaining on board as fitness coach for the 2017 campaign.

Kirszenstein linked up with the Tipperary hurlers in November 2012, when O'Shea succeeded Declan Ryan as team manager.

In recent times, he's also worked with the South Liberties club in Limerick and with the Ireland Women's rugby team.

Kirszenstein was also an intern strength and conditioning coach with the Munster Rugby academy for 18 months from August 2011 and also oversaw the winter work for the Limerick U21 hurlers prior to the 2012 season.

Kirszenstein will prove a hard act to follow in Tipperary as, speaking before September's All-Ireland final against Kilkenny, Hurler of the Year nominee Pádraic Maher publicly credited him with the improvement in the player's physical conditioning.  

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