Michael Ryan has urged new Waterford hurling boss Peter Queally to put the emphasis on enjoying the game rather than winning the All-Ireland.

The Fourmilewater man, who managed both the Waterford and Westmeath senior hurlers and achieved remarkable success as manager of the Ballymacarbry and Waterford ladies football teams, thinks inter-county hurling is no longer enjoyable and wants Queally and his selectors Eoin Kelly and Dan Shanahan to ensure that’s not the case on Suirside.

"I think we need to forget about winning All Irelands,” Ryan said in an interview with WLR FM.

“I mean from the manager's point of view, that's kind of like a millstone around our necks since 1959. You need to forget about that. I think from the manager's point of view now, the test and the task will be to try and get the best out of the players. Pick the best players, obviously, and get the best out of the players - and above all, get them to enjoy the game because the enjoyment seems to be gone out of the game now.

“Everybody's so immersed in all the hard work that goes in and dietary stuff and all that. All that is important - don't get me wrong. I mean, it's almost a sin to have a cut of toast. The whole thing is gone almost out of proportion.

“So to get the best out of the players, pick the best team, find a system that suits them, and seriously involve Eoin Kelly and Dan."

Tweet

Most Read Stories