Liam Sheedy says he would not rule out a return to inter-county hurling management, and that includes a role with a county other than his native Tipperary.
During two terms as Tipperary manager, Sheedy led the county to All-Ireland titles in 2010 and 2019. Last year, he was was involved with the Monaghan footballers while Seamus McEnaney was manager. He was also part of the Antrim hurling backroom team during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
"I'd probably never say never," Sheedy said during a video call on Monday ahead of his episode of TG4 series Laochra Gael which airs March 2nd at 9:30pm.
"Thankfully, I have a load of energy. There's no shortage in the energy tank. I would never write anything completely in or completely out. I'm very open-minded. It would take a lot. I was so, so fortunate to get the opportunity to manage my own county twice. I enjoy being around teams and people. There's a fair bit going on.
"I must say that I love the Sunday Game. I love sitting down, going to the matches, talking about hurling, talking about matches. I'm lucky that I'm with a great team in that area.
"I'm definitely keeping up to speed with what's happening on that front, and being involved in the game. Right now, I'm happy out. But look, I'm 53 since October. It's not as if I'm in the also-rans' category when it comes to management or being involved with teams. I keep a very open book."
16 January 2023; At the launch of TG4's new series of Laochra Gael at Light House Cinema in Dublin, are, front row, from left, Áine Wall, Head of TG4 Alan Esslemont and Anne Dalton, with, back row, Liam Sheedy, Tom Parsons, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Larry McCarthy, Joe Canning and Noel O'Leary. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
In 2018, Sheedy was one of the leading candidates to succeed Páraic Duffy as director general of the GAA. However, the role went to Tom Ryan.
"That’s the thing, if something came up and I thought it was right for me and I was right for the job that I’d be taking, whether in administration or managing teams, I’d have a very open mind on it," said Sheedy.
"It’s been an incredible journey and I hope that comes across in the show because I probably will never be able to repay the GAA for what it’s given me because every trip that I made as a kid down into the hurling field has been worth it in dividends.
27 February 2022; Monaghan performance coach Liam Sheedy before the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Monaghan and Kerry at Inniskeen Grattans GAA Club in Monaghan. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
"In the society that we live in, the more people we keep on that pitch, be it in hurling, camogie, football or ladies football, because it’s not a straightforward world anymore - it was very straightforward for us growing up in Portroe - but it’s not as straightforward in Portroe or anywhere else now. I think the GAA can play a huge role in how we make sure that our kids get through life. Because life is not an easy journey anymore.
"So hopefully the GAA can continue to be a real powerhouse when it comes to growing and developing people. There’s no way I would have got the jobs I got [without being involved in GAA]. Most of the skills I got, I got them from playing sport, playing hurling. Your decision making, your teamwork, your ability to work with people. You get all of that for free in sport and as I said, the best decision I ever made was hanging out at that hurling field."
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