Maher’s loss disappointing but will spur Tipp on
Two years ago, Maher limped off after 20 minutes of a classic NHL final against Kilkenny.
Less than two weeks later, Tipperary were crushed by Clare in the first round of the Munster SHC. Hogan wasn't involved in the management in 2003, but is still haunted by it all.
"In fairness, we were on a hiding to nothing below in Cork two years ago, after losing the League final and coming out 13 days later to play Clare.
"It was on the cards what was going to happen. This time, hopefully, the players will be ready and they will be hardened for championship play. This is a game of men against men and we'll have to stand up for ourselves."
Apart from Maher, the Tipp squad is also noteworthy for the absence of Ger O'Grady, omitted for reasons that have been well publicised.
Hogan admits it is disappointing to lose "any" player.
"Every player in the panel is valuable. We have been down Hugh Moloney and a few players have had exams, but these are things that are going to happen along the way. It's about coping and we have used the 25 players already in our two championship games.
"The one thing we can say is that all our players have been blooded for championship hurling and we have no fears about any of them who will come in.
"We have trust in our players, they have been training for months with the whole idea of staking a place in the panel. We have no outstanding players, no stars. Our lads are grafters, they are honest, very genuine in what they do, very conscious of representing Tipperary and playing well for Tipperary.
Hogan aims to turn a negative into a positive regarding Maher's loss believing it will act as a spur to the squad.
"Philip is a hugely popular member of the panel, but even he knows at this stage that we have got to get on with the task on hands. He would be the one fellow that would be pushing the lads on in the dressing room, to produce bigger efforts because he's so conscious of how big a game this is.
"We know we are going in as outsiders. But, having said that, it will be 15 fellows against 15.
The character shown by the team against Limerick, allied to the improvement in form in the replay, provides him with some encouragement.
"Nothing can replace playing top-class championship games ... in high pressure. It's what every player dreams about."
Though Hogan may dismiss much of the League campaign, one feels he still took notes after their drubbing by Clare in Thurles on a cold and miserable Sunday that seems so long ago.
"Clare did have a very good League campaign and beat us comprehensively in Thurles," he agrees. "Only that we got a few scores at the end the margin of victory would have been greater.
"We have got to be conscious of the fact that we'll have to stay with them and not allow them get a firm hold of the game ... we have to be conscious that we cannot let them get into the lead they had the last day."
Hogan is aware of the threat and talent of Niall Gilligan. But he also regards Tony Carmody (having worked with him on the Garda College side in the Fitzgibbon Cup) and the returned Tony Griffin as big dangers in the Clare front line arsenal.
And he is keen to end the myth Tipperary are over reliant on the scoring talents of Eoin Kelly.
"The one hallmark of Eoin's play is that he is a team player. He always puts the team first and, in fairness against Limerick, he threw himself around, took a lot of punishment. At the end of the day, he's going to create openings which, hopefully, other players are going to capitalise on."
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