A panel effort.
And Tipperary had a big one. 40 players, another 30 on the back-room team. Each one of them with a different role to play. Each one of them in some way helping another out.
Bonner Maher was one of the unlucky ones. With an outstanding Munster campaign behind him, the Lorrha club man’s season was ended by a slip and a torn cruciate.
His contribution didn’t end there though, as Noel McGrath explained on Friday morning when he collected his PwC Hurler of the month award for August.
“Look, Bonner is a legend of Tipperary hurling,” said McGrath.
“He has given what he has over the last ten years. Look, I’m sure that man has already set his sights on 2020.
“Seamie mentioned it about him at times being there on the side of the pitch when we were training over the last number of months.
“He just gives you that encouragement. Bonner is a genuine person that just always does what he has to do for the whole team…”
Bonner won’t have to look too far for inspiration in his cruciate comeback.
Brendan Maher suffered the dreaded tear in June last year when Tipp were knocked out against Clare. By May, he was back in the field. By August, the 2016 All-Ireland winning captain was lifting Liam MacCarthy again.
Noel McGrath wasn’t surprised.
“Brendan is one of the most driven people I’ve ever met. His sight, from early last year, was to get back and playing at the highest level and he has done that. He has been unbelievable all year. It’s not really a surprise to me that he has come back so good because I know the character he is, the way he applies himself to everything, the way he prepares, the way he trains. It is an unbelievable achievement , but it’s not surprising to me because of the man that he is.”
And then you’ve lads like Barry Heffernan. The Nenagh Éire Óg club man has been on and off the Tipp team for a number of years now but in the semi and in the final he came of age.
“Barry Heffernan coming in for the last two games, I was delighted for him to see him doing so well,” said McGrath. He’s been there for the last three or four years and to see the work that he puts in. He’s a very likeable fella and a good lad around the panel. Any lad like that, you’re always very happy for them. The three Mahers, I don’t think you need me to tell you about them. They’re just unbelievable really…”
Then you’ve the likes of Niall O’Meara – riddled by injuries for a number of years – he scored a crucial goal in Sunday’s final. But now, all focus turns to the 20s in their All-Ireland final against Cork and McGrath nods that the whole panel will be behind Cahill, Cadell, Morris and the rest of the Tipp team.
“To be honest, there was so much joy and excitement around in Tipperary that you would have played two or three matches if you could because everybody wanted to talk about it, everybody was supporting us for the U-21 match the following Saturday.
“We had great support in Thurles and I’m looking forward to Saturday evening in Limerick and hopefully a big Tipp public will go in to support the boys because they’ve had a great journey for themselves so far this year.
“The Munster Final win was unbelievable how they stayed at it and dug at it. Look, they have a tough game against a good Cork team. Look, it is good.
“I remember in 2010 having the feeling of going back in the Saturday afterwards and getting the result and it made it such a great week so hopefully the boys can do the same.”
PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month for August Tipperary hurler Noel McGrath was at PwC offices in Dublin today to pick up his respective award.
