KCLR analyst Michael Walsh has welcomed reports that former Dublin football manager Pat Gilroy will join the committee tasked with appointing Kilkenny’s next senior hurling manager.
According to the Irish Independent, Gilroy will serve on the six-person selection panel alongside County Board chairman PJ Kenny, vice-chairman Jim Fennelly, secretary Séamus Reade, former Kilkenny selector and coach Michael Dempsey, and John Hickey.
The committee has been assembled to oversee the search for Derek Lyng’s successor following his departure as Kilkenny senior manager.
Speaking on the KCLR Hurling Podcast, Walsh said Gilroy’s appointment would add valuable experience to what he believes is a well-balanced committee.
“A very good call. He has the business side stuff, obviously being a top businessman, and the management side in both hurling and football.
“He is obviously a very shrewd operator. Whoever picked this committee, they have done very well.
“It will obviously be a very thorough process. I would very much trust in that committee to come up with the right person.”
Gilroy guided Dublin to the 2011 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, ending the county’s 16-year wait for Sam Maguire, and has since built an impressive reputation in both sport and business.
The appointment process for Kilkenny’s next senior hurling manager is expected to continue over the coming weeks, with a number of high-profile names already linked with one of the most coveted jobs in the game.
The successful candidate will be tasked with leading the Cats into the 2027 championship following a disappointing 2026 campaign, which ended with an early exit from the Leinster Championship.
