Hurling legend Henry Shefflin returns to senior management, as he has been named the new boss of Kilkenny.

Derek Lyng left his post at the Cats last month after failing to qualify out of the Leinster Championship, finishing fourth in the round robin, behind Dublin, Galway and Offaly.

Shefflin is of course a Kilkenny legend, winning 10 All-Ireland titles during the Cats’ reign of dominance in the 2000s and 2010s, as well as picking up 11 All Stars, 3 Hurler of the Year awards and an RTÉ Sports Person of the Year in 2006.

Since retiring in 2015, Shefflin has turned his hand to coaching, most notably managing Galway’s senior hurling side from 2021 to 2024, where he led them to 2 Leinster Hurling finals and a Walsh Cup win in 2023.

Since leaving the Tribesmen in 2024, Shefflin returned to his home county, recently managing the U20s side. He is also a two-time All-Ireland club title winner with Ballyhale Shamrocks in 2019 and 2020.

He now returns to the Kilkenny senior set-up amidst their longest Championship drought in recent memory. They haven’t won the Liam MacCarthy Cup since 2015 and now haven’t made the final since 2023.

‘On behalf of Kilkenny GAA, I am delighted to welcome Henry Shefflin as our Senior Hurling Manager.’ Chairperson of Kilkenny GAA, PJ Kenny, said in a statement. ‘Henry has an outstanding record of achievement and leadership, and we are confident he will bring tremendous experience, ambition and professionalism to the role.

‘I would also like to acknowledge and thank every candidate who put themselves forward.  The calibre of applicants reflected the esteem in which Kilkenny hurling is held, and we were struck throughout the process by the commitment each candidate demonstrated to serving Kilkenny GAA.  We wish Henry every success as he takes up this important role.’

The Cats are in an extremely tough period right now, and they’ve turned to a man who’s been there and done that for the amber and black. Will the risk pay off?