Cahill named Antrim hurling boss

Dinny Cahill was Antrim hurling boss from 2001 to 2005

Dinny Cahill has been appointed as the new Antrim senior hurling manager.

Cahill previously managed the Saffrons from 2001 to 2005 and the Tipperary native claims he has "unfinished business" to attend to.

His previous time in charge ended in controversial circumstances when just 12 players turned up for a training session in July 2005.

"I believe that I now have the chance to address what feels like unfinished business," said Cahill.

"When I first went up to Antrim I had just finished coaching Tipperary minors and we were lucky enough to achieve All Ireland success at that time," he told the Antrim GAA website.

"I was relatively inexperienced then as far as senior inter-county management was concerned.

"Through my previous involvement with Antrim and more recently with Portumna and Graigue-Ballycallan, I have gained extensive experience to assist me in this new challenge.

"With the right commitment from the players, clubs and supporters in Antrim we can build a more consistent and successful future for the county.

"This has to be a co-ordinated effort where we improve standards, not just at senior county level but right throughout the clubs from adult to juvenile."

As well as managing Portumna and Graigue-Ballycallan in recent years, Cahill also managed Laois in 2006.

Cork native Bob Thornhill has been confirmed as one of his selectors, while former Antrim star Gregory O'Kane is also expected to join the new management set-up once Dunloy's interests in the All-Ireland club series has ended.

The post has been vacant since joint managers Terence McNaughton and Dominic McKinley resigned in August.

Under Cahill, Antrim produced a couple of impressive performances on the big stage at Croke Park.

They put up a brave fight in losing to Tipperary 2-15 to 1-12 in the 2002 All-Ireland quarter-final and a year later narrowly lost to Wexford 2-15 to 2-12.

However, in 2004, they were crushed 2-26 to 0-10 by Cork.