Michael Bond (hurling manager)

Michael Bond (born 1949 in Ardrahan, County Galway) is a retired Ireland hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Ardrahan. Bond later served as manager of the Offaly senior inter-county team on two occasions and guided the team to the senior All-Ireland title in 1998.

Managerial career

Offaly

Bond was first appointed to the position of Offaly Manager for the 1998 season following the removal of Michael 'Babs' Keating from the role after the 1997 season. In spite of defeat by Kilkenny in the Leinster Final, Offaly came back to beat Antrim in the All Ireland Quarter Final, before going on to have a controversial three game series against the previous years champions Clare. In the second match, referee, Jimmy Cooney, clearly ended the game two minutes early with Clare three points up, 1-16 to 2-10. When the whistle blew there was disarray in Croke Park as the disgruntled Offaly supporters began a sit-down protest on the pitch as Clare had won the game. The decision was taken to replay the game in Semple Stadium the following weekend, and Offaly triumphed on a scoreline of 0-16 to 0-13. this set up a rematch with Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Final, which Offaly won 2-16 to 1-13.

In 1999, Offaly once again faced Kilkenny in the Leinster Final, and once again came off worse, being beaten 5-14 to 1-16.^[1] They beat Antrim comprehensively in the Quarter final, before being beaten by the year's eventual champions Cork in the semi final.^[2] Bond stepped down as manager at the end of this season.^[3]

He was reappointed to the position of manager for the 2001 season,^[4] however, this season did not live up to that of 1998, with Offaly being knocked out in the Leinster Semi Final by Kilkenny.^[5] Following this season, Bond once again stepped down from the position.^[6]

References

Teams