Kelly requires Surgery for Back Problem We are grateful to have him as he is - Sheedy
By Noel Dundon
Tipperary senior hurling Manager Liam Sheedy has acknowledged in the run-up to the Munster Final that Mullinahone star Eoin Kelly will require surgery at some stage to rectify the troublesome back problem he has been suffering from.
Kelly has been a shadow of his former self in the two previous championship outings and has been playing through the pain barrier in order to don the blue and gold jersey. In fact, it is his desire to play for Tipp which has really driven him on and while the Portroe Manager is glad to report that the five times Allstar is improving every day, he admits that the surgeons knife is the only real remedy that will actually solve Eoin Kelly's problem long term.
“Our injury situations are still coming on. We have a few knocks and bruises after club games but nothing too serious. Shane Maher has improved and played a game with his club, so we'll keeping an eye on him. Conor O'Mahony is still recovering and is taking it day by day at this stage. He is still not back to himself but he is heading in the right direction.
“As for Eoin Kelly, he is still on the road to recovery after his back injury. Every day is a help – every hour is a help really for him – but Eoin will require surgery at some stage to solve the problem. There is no doubt about that. For the time being, he is getting stronger every day and we have to be grateful for that,” Liam said.
Facing the media at the usual press briefing in the Horse and Jockey in advance of the 125th Provincial decider, Liam told journalists that there would be no issues with him over the GPA directive to players not to co-operate with RTE as a result of the proposed freezing of the government grants to them. Most of the Tipperary squad are members of the Gaelic Players Association but they are not allowing the issues raised by Chief Executive Dessie Farrell in relation to the ban on interviews with RTE to distract them from the pressing business of beating Waterford in the Munster Final. And, pressing business it will be according to Liam Sheedy.
“Waterford are a class side with wonderful hurlers all over. They have a very potent forward line and they really showed what they are capable of in the second game against Limerick. I would never question Waterford because when they find their stride we all know what they can do,” he said.
The Tipperary lads under the tutelage of Sheedy, Michael Ryan (Upperchurch Drombane) and Eamon O'Shea (Kilruane McDonagh's) set their sights on returning to defend their provincial crown in 2009. They had a difficult route to go with Cork and Clare providing the opposition and Liam is happy that they are back in the final – the second most prestigious championship in the game for Tipp.
“The Munster title is a very coveted prize. It is the second best in the country for us and none of the lads who won it last year want to give back their medals. Munster championship at the moment is typical puck of a ball stuff in that anyone could win it. Our build up has been going well and our preparations are going well. We are really looking forward to the final and we would love to put two titles back to back. There is a double carrot then of course in that the winner gets a place in the All-Ireland semi-final. This final is a little bit more special in that it is the 125th and I am sure that it will be a rip roaring game,” says Liam who was “ a nipper” behind the goal for the 1984 Centenary All-Ireland on a day when Cork banged two late goals past his brother John to steal the title.
Tipperary have played some sublime hurling during the season already with particularly impressive spells against Cork and Clare showing the ability of the side to tear apart opposition defences. But, this has been mixed with periods of indifference with some of the players even criticised for “show boating”.
“Any team will have a period of dominance when it comes to championship games especially when you have teams of the calibre of Cork and Clare. We got ourselves into winning positions and then the opposition came back at us big time. But, the most important thing from my point of view is that the character of our lads came through and we answered the call when we had to. We would be very happy with the lads and when they play that particular brand of hurling you could only be impressed with them. I suppose we have mixed the very good with the bad and that comes back to the fact that other teams get a run on your during the course of a game. We have the ability to hurt teams when we are on form and our focus has to be to keep that form for as long as we can during games,” said Liam who has been forced to withdraw four lynchpins in the championship so far in Conor O'Mahony ( in both games) Shane McGrath (Cork) and Eoin Kelly (Clare) and Seamus Callanan (both games also).
O' Mahony in fact is the only defender to have been withdraw in the championship so far with the affects of the mumps clearly not shaken off fully. However, on further analysis both midfielders, the entire half forward line and others have been called ashore with Pat Kerwick (Clare), Micheal Webster (Cork), Noel McGrath (Cork) and James Woodlock (Cork) all making way – perhaps this emphasises the demands being made of midfield/half forwards in the modern game adopted by Tipperary.
“I would be very happy that lads came off the bench and did the job for us. You have to keep a competitive edge in a squad and in that regard the game we played against Galway was a great workout for us. We feel it is important to keep a competitive edge in training as well and to have at least two lads going for every position. It was a really good workout with high scoring – very worthwhile,” Liam said.
While there is a whole programme of event revolving around the Munster Final, Liam and the backroom team will concentrating on keeping the players feet on the ground, their eyes on the ball and the focus sharp.
Anything less will be playing into the hands of Davy Fitz' Waterford.
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Friday 18 May 2012
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