A week on from the All Ireland double and the afterglow continues to warm the hearts of Tipperary folk everywhere. Days like this are simply unforgettable.
The reaction countrywide has been both generous and effusive. In part that may be down to a sense of weariness with Kilkenny’s ongoing dominance. However, there’s also a genuine acknowledgment of the sheer brilliance of the Tipperary performance.
Eamonn Sweeney in the ‘Sunday Independent’, for example, paid a glowing tribute to the team. It was ‘as aesthetically appealing as any hurling team I can remember’, he wrote. To my knowledge Eamonn is not a noted Tipperary fan, but, nonetheless, he was clearly gobsmacked by this All Ireland display. Others were similarly amazed.
For Michael Ryan it was a remarkable debut season as manager, though he’d be quick to point out that he’s been around this panel for quite some time. Still the manager’s impact has been one of the most fascinating aspects of this success story and has, I’d suggest, led to much re-evaluation of the man from the ‘Church. When he was appointed manager it’s fair to say that not everyone was convinced. In part that related to his image as a blunt, straight talker who might not have the subtlety necessary for successful management.
A certain stereotype had been built around the man. His hurling days no doubt contributed to the image. For some the picture of the ex-corner back on a certain day against Waterford in Pairc Ui Chaoimh with fists flying during a goal line skirmish presented a picture of an old-style enforcer.
But stereotypes, of course, are lazy caricatures of people. We now know that there’s more, much more, to Michael Ryan than this abrasive image. His first year of management has been a model of excellence. He promised certain things and delivered. The team’s past failings were scrutinized and corrective action taken. A new template was devised for how the team would perform; work rate would be key. New players were unearthed, ones best suited to the new dispensation.
Everything in his approach suggested a thoughtful, intelligent man who knew what he was about. He surrounded himself with likeminded individuals and together a winning culture was fostered. If players had reservations at the start – and some had – these were quickly dispelled. Hard decisions wouldn’t be shirked but players would also be treated fairly. To the manager must go the major credit then for creating a happy dressing room, one which would nurture the undoubted talent of the team.
Like any good manager he put trusted people in key background positions. Former sprinter, Gary Ryan, continued on as trainer, alongside strength and conditioning expert, Lukasz Kirszenstein, a Polish national who previously worked with Munster and Irish rugby. Together they ensured that one of the strongest and fittest ever Tipperary teams took to Croke Park on September 4.
Others too made significant contributions. The medical side of things was in the charge of Physiotherapist, Paddy O’Brien of Toomevara, and ex-Offaly player, Dr. Brendan Murphy. As well as being medical people these were also hurling people. Fortunately the team enjoyed virtually an injury-free season.
To further dispel the one-dimensional image of Michael Ryan, we should note that he didn’t neglect the mental side of the preparations either. Ex-rugby player, Denis Leamy, became a sideline presence as he worked on the motivational side of things. Gerry Hussey has an impressive CV from his involvement with many branches of sport including the Irish Olympic boxing team. He too contributed and not many know about the involvement of former Galway hurler, Tony Og Regan. These all worked on the psychological side of things, an aspect that was very necessary given our past record against Kilkenny. There’s an old African saying that it takes a village to rear a child. Well it takes quite a community of people to win an All Ireland and a major part of Michael Ryan’s success was in putting that unit in place.
Of course the big challenge now is to push on with this generation of talented hurlers and not let 2016 sit as yet another one-hit wonder. Encouragingly we’re already hearing from the manager about controlling the celebrations and reassembling again before the year is out. He’ll be aware that nothing stands still in hurling and you must always evolve to stay at the top.
Thankfully Michael Ryan remains at the helm to ensure continuity but one wonders have we seen the last of some players. Conor O’Brien and Paddy Stapleton failed to make the twenty-six for the All Ireland final and may be wondering if there’s a future for them with the team. Both are into their thirties with long careers behind them. The Borrisoleigh man has been on the panel since 2008 while Conor has been ever-present as a utility player since ’07. They both have much to be proud of if they decide to step aside.
Gearoid Ryan is younger but since his memorable contribution in 2010 he’s drifted down the ranking, not helped by injuries. He too may be wondering if there’s a future for him in the present set-up. I have no doubt when the panel is reassembled later this year there will be some tweaking of personnel. The case of Steven O’Brien is an interesting one. As the year progressed and he wasn’t making match-day panels there was much speculation that he might return to the football fold. He didn’t, which was his choice incidentally though you’d imagine by some comments that Michael Ryan and the County Board handcuffed him.
Anyway as the year advanced it seems his hurling improved beyond recognition. When you hear reports of him roasting James Barry in training then you know there’s something afoot. The word from within the camp was that there was major surprise when he failed to make the All Ireland twenty-six, so contrary to some impressions we may reserve judgment on the Ballina man’s future. Overall it’s been a magnificent year for Tipperary hurling and we can only hope that the trend continues.
Meanwhile there’s frantic activity on the local club scene as the county scrambles to make Munster deadlines. Mid and South put through their finals last weekend with the North and West now to follow.
First a complaint: why was it necessary to clash the Mid and South finals? Surely the divisional boards could liaise and come to some agreement to stagger the matches. There’s a dedicated cohort of people who travel all over to see these games and such a clash was most unfair to them.
Anyway I went South on Sunday to see Mullinahone unseat a disappointing Killenaule in that divisional showpiece. Apart from Swans’ intervention in 2010 it’s been something of a Lanigan’s Ball between this pair in recent times where you step out and I step in again on alternate years. Mullinahone and Eoin Kelly swiped this one very deep into added time though in truth they were the more deserving winners over the span of the game. The Kickhams were the livelier, keener side who took the battle to the champions and had them chasing the leader all day.
An early goal from Graham Horan set the trend; he was fed by Paul Kelly after fetching a long clearance from Kevin Walzer. Again in the second half Mullinahone struck early with Michael Dunne hitting the rigging. They laid down the markers in this tie and Killenaule were left chasing their tails.
The hurling was moderate for much of the tie but excitement levels certainly rose at the end as Joe O’Dwyer and Kieran Bergin twice leveled matters. Deep – very deep – into added time Eoin Kelly showed all his cuteness to win possession and then land the winner from the resultant free.
It was disappointing fare from Killenaule. ‘Bubbles’ had a quiet first half but became much more a feature in the second; over the hour he landed difficult frees and missed routine ones. Declan Fanning mostly controlled the zone in front of goal and I thought midfielder, Eoin O’Connell, was one of their best on the day. Kevin Walzer was a well deserving man of the match for the winners.
The West decider rests between Clonoulty and Kickhams this Sunday at Cashel. The latter were stung by a very late Conor O’Brien winner for Eire Og midweek. However it mattered not as Annacarty fell by nine points to Clonoulty on Sunday allowing Kickhams through on score difference.
Kickhams have already beaten Clonoulty this year though they’re likely to be outsiders to repeat the deed on Sunday. An added incentive for the Dundrum club is to avoid relegation. Kildangan and Kilruane face off in the North decider.
