Batt Thornhill - Post-playing Career

Post-playing Career

In retirement from playing Thornhill dedicated his time to the running of the Buttevant GAA club. The current Buttevant GAA grounds was purchased by Thornhill and a member of the clergy and trusted to the board of the GAA club. Thornhill donated his four All-Ireland medals to the local church to be melted down after a call from the local Catholic Church who required gold for the creation of a processional cross. His house and barber shop are still a focal point in the town of Buttevant.

Thornhill's son Bobby guided Blackrock to their first county minor championship in 1994, their first and currently their only win since 1974. Following this Thornhill was awarded with a position as Cork minor hurling selector, a position which he filled for two separate terms (1994–1998, 2002–2004). While part of the Cork minor set up, the won the Munster and All-Ireland titles in 1998. In his second term as Cork minor selector, the minor team went on to win the Munster hurling championship in 2005 and 2006. A number of this team has also gone on to represent the county senior team.

Currently, Bobby Thornhill is training the Ballygarvan intermediate hurlers and the Cork intermediate and minor camogie teams.