Bonnar interview in the Indo today below. Fooking hell, we might have a manager with some cop on.
Bonnar - Galway and Antrim is a challenge to us and it will give Leinster and us an impetus VS Meyler - whining about it.
Bonnar - We’re in Division 2 and it’s up to us to hurl our way out of it VS Meyler - I’ll complain non-stop in the media to ensure we stay in Division 1.
Little subtle things but at least it appears he has a semblance of sense unlike other previous incumbents.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/wexford-make-bonnar-an-offer-he-just-couldnt-refuse-1537099.html
Wexford make Bonnar an offer he just couldn’t refuse
WHEN Wexford called, Colm Bonnar knew he had to answer. What’s more, he had to say ‘yes’.
“It’s a big challenge but it’s also a big chance. I have plenty of experience as part of management teams so I’m now looking forward to putting my own stamp on things in Wexford,” said the former Tipperary double-All-Ireland medal-winner.
Bonnar takes over from John Meyler, whose departure last month left many people in Wexford with an uneasy feeling. In the circumstances, they will be pleased to see that the county board has made a well-thought out decision by appointing a man with the widest possible breadth of experience at all levels. Having been a central figure in three senior county managements this decade, he felt the time was right to move up to the No 1 position.
He worked with Gerald McCarthy in Waterford in 2000/2001 and remained part of the set-up when Justin McCarthy replaced his Cork colleague for a 2002 season which ended with a first Munster senior title success since 1963.
Bonnar remained with Waterford until the end of 2003 after which he accepted an invitation from former team-mate Ken Hogan to join the new Tipperary management. He served with Hogan in 2004-2005 before taking a break from the inter-county scene while continuing his involvement with Waterford IT where he is Sport and Student Development Officer. He felt that the inter-county batteries needed recharging, a process which is now complete so he is already looking forward to what will be his biggest challenge since his playing days during which he won All-Ireland senior medals with Tipperary in 1989 and 1991.
Bonnar arrives in Wexford at a time of uncertainty in the county. Meyler’s removal appeared unduly harsh, especially as his final game in charge ended in a one-point defeat against Waterford in the All-Ireland quarter-final. It suggested that, on their day, Wexford were a match for any opposition (except Kilkenny), yet the broader background wasn’t as encouraging.
They were relegated to Division Two of the Allianz League last spring, a setback which leaves them – and Bonnar – in a disadvantaged position as they look ahead to 2009.
It’s not something the new manager wishes to dwell on. He knows how the cards are stacked and regards his sole responsibility as playing them with maximum cleverness.
“Wexford are in Division Two and we have to deal with that. It’s not where you want to be but there are some good teams in the group so it will be very competitive. Winning promotion is the first priority but it won’t be easy,” said Bonnar.
With only one exit slot, winning promotion will indeed be quite difficult in a group which also features Offaly, Antrim, Laois, Westmeath, Carlow, Down and Kerry.
The Leinster championship draw hasn’t been especially kind to Wexford either, pitting them against an improving Offaly in the quarter-final. The arrival of Galway and Antrim will spice up the Leinster championship and while the Wexford hurling public weren’t particularly keen on the idea, Bonnar thinks it’s a progressive step.
“All the talk in recent years was about the Munster championship but with Galway and Antrim playing in Leinster next year, it will give it a new impetus. That has to be good for everybody,” said Bonnar.
Like all other managers, he will have to wait until January to begin training the panel but says he has plenty to do in the meantime to get everything in place for the big lift-off.
His co-selectors will be appointed over the next two weeks after which he will meet the players to outline his plans for 2009.
Heavy defeats at the hands of Kilkenny have tended to present Wexford hurling in a depressing light in recent years but then they aren’t the only side to struggle against Brian Cody’s champions.
Kilkenny apart, Wexford have turned in some encouraging championship performances, beating Tipp in the 2007 All-Ireland quarter-final and running Waterford to a point this year.
Prepared
“There’s very little between several counties. They can all beat each other on a given day. My aim with Wexford will be to have them prepared as well as they possibly can and to ensure that they go into games in the right frame of mind. After that anything is possible,” he said.
His appointment looks like a smart move by Wexford as he is extremely well regarded as a coach. It was important for them to deliver a well-respected figure and they have achieved that with Bonnar, who has been given a two-year term with a review at the end of next season.