Colm Bonnar was relieved of his duties as Tipperary hurling manager yesterday after a single year in the post yesterday.
While it was an extremely challenging year for the Premier county, the sacking of the Cashel man came somewhat out of the blue.
Tipp lost all four Munster round robin games this season, but it's very rare to see a 'one-and-done' GAA managerial reign. Tipp's problems this year are well-documented: a squad in transition, the unexpected retirement of talisman Paudie Maher, key injuries to the likes of Seamie Callanan.
The decision - which came on the back of a review presentation this week to Tipperary's executive committee- certainly caught Bonnar off guard. Speaking to TipperaryLive.ie yesterday, Bonnar said he was 'extremely disappointed with the decision':
"The terms of reference I was given for my 3 year term was stated clearly by the Executive Committee at the Tipperary convention in December 2021 where it was stated that Tipperary were entering a transition and a rebuilding period. The manager will need time to add new players to the panel and patience was urged for this rebuild.
"I presented a detailed presentation to the 15 person Executive yesterday evening (Wednesday), this encompassed my review of 2022 and my plans for 2023. I have since been informed by the County Board that I am no longer in the position of Tipperary senior hurling manager for the coming years.
"I am an honourable and a very committed Tipperary man, with an experienced management career, who has always giving my heart and soul to Tipperary hurling, both as a player and manager. I took on this task in good faith.
"Tipperary hurling will always be in my heart and I wish all involved the best of luck as I again become a passionate supporter of our great county team."
Eoin Larkin on Tipperary's decision
Speaking on Game On on 2fm last night, eight-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny Eoin Larkin had some interesting observations on the removal of Bonnar. He called the sacking 'tasteless' and said Bonnar deserved another season in the least.
"My reaction first and foremost would be surprise. There's no debating that they had a tough season, with injuries, and Padraic Maher retiring at the start of the year due to a longstanding neck issue.
"I suppose Tipperary people in general would be disappointed with the year they had. But I don't think anyone expected that Colm Bonnar would be, as the Tipperary county board said 'relieved of his duties'.
"I think it's a bit tasteless and it doesn't look good from a Tipperary county board point of view and I think Colm Bonnar deserved a lot better than they gave him.
"I don't know Colm Bonnar personally but I've met him on a couple of occasions. He seems like a really, really nice man. Hurling to the core. Proud Tipperary man. And I know he was very proud to get the job in the first place.
"As I said, they had a difficult season. They had more downs than ups. But he had brought through a number of young players which previous managements had only thrown in in bits and pieces. And he had to bring it all together.
"He had the retirement of Padraic Maher to deal with. Seamus Callanan was out for most of the year. Two hugely experienced lads. So I think Colm Bonnar deserved a lot more than one season. He deserved to get at least another year at it and I'm sure he'll be very disappointed."
Liam Cahill resigned as Waterford manager today, and one wonders if Tipp's unexpected lack of patience with Bonnar has anything to do with Cahill's inevitable availability.
