Liam Cahill says he was not contacted by the Tipperary county board prior to Colm Bonnar being 'relived of his duties' as the county's senior hurling manager.
On July 14th, in a statement which has received an abundance of criticism, Tipperary GAA confirmed that Bonnar had been removed as manager after just a season in charge.
A day later, it was confirmed that Cahill - the Tipperary man who had been in charge of Waterford for the past three seasons - had stepped down as Deise manager. Cahill, who had been approached before Bonnar was appointed last year, was announced as the new Tipperary manager on Monday evening.
"Absolutely not," Cahill told RTÉ when asked by Marty Morrissey if he had been contacted by Tipperary before it was confirmed that Bonnar would not be continuing as manager.
"That's something I want to be very clear that I received a phone call a short time after Colm Bonnar's exit from the Tipperary senior hurling job. For me, second time around, it was very simple. It was a phone call and the answer was yes, and it went from there."
17 April 2022; Waterford manager Liam Cahill and Tipperary manager Colm Bonnar shake hands after the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1 match between Waterford and Tipperary at Walsh Park in Waterford. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Cahill said he could "relate to why there would be anger out there" about Bonnar's removal.
"Colm Bonnar took on this job at a really difficult time," said Cahill.
"There was a lot of injuries and retirements and he was the man who put his hand up last year to take it on.
"I can understand people would be angry that he wasn't given more time. I for one don't know what conversations Colm Bonnar had with the Tipperary County Board.
"Unfortunately inter-county hurling is a results-driven business and results last year in the Munster Championship might not have helped Colm's cause. What can I say, only that I wish Colm Bonnar all the best for the future."
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