Kilmacow man Brendan Williams has been named as the new Kilkenny senior camogie manager, succeeding Ann Downey who stepped down after four seasons in charge.
Williams was Kilkenny manager previously, when they reached the All-Ireland final in 2001 before losing narrowly to Tipperary. Paul Quigley and one other as yet unannounced selector will join Williams as team trainer.
The trio will be tasked with winning Kilkenny’s first All-Ireland senior camogie championship in 17 years.
Williams has been in charge of the Kilkenny minor camogie team for the past six years, winning four All-Ireland titles.
He has achieved success with Loreto Kilkenny, steering the school to an All-Ireland Colleges senior title in March 2010. He was also instrumental in the school’s four All-Ireland junior titles in five seasons.
The fact that many of the younger players who were part of Williams’ successful minor teams are now on the senior panel will be an advantage as he takes charge.
Kilkenny’s league campaign gets under way in Cork on February 26, followed by a home tie with Clare on March 11.
That will be followed by another home clash against champions Wexford on March 25, before a Dublin showdown on Easter Sunday.
However they will be without five of their stars for the opening of the campaign, and possibly the championship. Absent are Deirdre Delaney, Aine Fahey, Edwina Keane, Marie Dargan, and Anne Dalton – who has gone to Australia.
Meanwhile, Damien Walsh (Lisdowney ) will replace Williams as manager of the minors, while Mattie Butler continues as intermediate manager, and Paddy Kelly continues with the under-16s for a third year.
