Hutchinson to captain Waterford, Cluxton could join Dublin management
Moran/sportsfile Waterford Hutchinson Dessie Leader: Picture: Brendan Of
Dessie Hutchinson will serve as captain of the Waterford hurlers for the 2025 season.
It was also confirmed by new Waterford manager Peter Queally on Monday evening that Lismore's Iarlaith Daly will be vice-captain.
Hutchinson takes over from Jamie Barron and Stephen Bennett who were Déise joint-captains. This season was Hutchinson's fifth as part of the Waterford senior panel. The Ballygunner forward was previously on the books at Premier League club Brighton. He moved to England at 16, signed a professional deal at 18 but then moved back to Ireland in 2018, aged 21, to play with Waterford in the League of Ireland.
His time there lasted just six months before he retired from professional football aged 22 to concentrate on hurling. He has since become one of the game's most potent forwards.
This past season was another disappointing one for Waterford in the Munster championship as they failed to progress beyond provincial level for the third consecutive year.
Hutchinson's Ballygunner side face Cork's Sarsfields in the Munster senior club hurling final at Semple Stadium on Sunday. Darragh O’Sullivan’s side made it 11 consecutive Waterford SHC title wins with victory over Abbeyside in September.
Meanwhile, there are suggestions in Dublin Stephen Cluxton may be part of Dessie Farrell’s senior management team in 2025. The nine-time All-Ireland SFC winner has played for the county the last two seasons after stepping away for 2021 and ’22.
As more players including Cluxton, 43, are expected to follow James McCarthy and Brian Fenton into retirement, there are indications the Parnells man may be persuaded to stay involved as a coach/selector.
Cluxton, like McCarthy, lined out for Leinster in last month’s interprovincial tournament under the long list of Football Review Committee’s rule changes. However, it is not anticipated he will play on into 2025, which would be his 23rd senior inter-county season.
Farrell’s 2024 management panel comprises Mick Galvin, Brian O’Regan and Darren Daly. Mark Brady, who had been working as strength and conditioning coach in tandem with Dublin GAA performance director Bryan Cullen, is not believed to be remaining on for the upcoming season.
Elsewhere, 2019 hurler of the year Seamus Callanan has joined Johnny Kelly’s Offaly senior hurling management team as hurling coach. The three-time All-Ireland winner joins former Tipperary team-mate Brendan Maher who is on board for a third season.
Four-time All-Star Callanan retired after the end of last season.
Maher’s brother Martin is also involved again in 2025 as is ex-Galway goalkeeper Colm Callanan and Coolderry’s Barry Teehan.