Bonnar stresses need for League boost

COLM BONNAR liked the idea of putting his feet up, relaxing and spending more time with his family.

After completing four years with Justin McCarthy's management team in Waterford, Bonnar felt he deserved a winter of nothingness.

Then, out of the blue, he got a call from former playing colleague, newly appointed Tipperary boss Ken Hogan, inviting him to take charge of the Premier County's physical preparations.

The best laid plans were shoved aside. "It was hard to say no,'' he admits. Once more, he was committed.

The ease of his decision is not surprising, given that it offered a return to his native county, and his knowledge of a number of the squad from his playing career, and from his role in sports development with Waterford Institute of Technology.

"I would have been familiar with the 15 players you'd see on television, but not with the newer players on the panel. There are some quality hurlers there,'' he adds.

Former All-Ireland winning captain Tommy Dunne is temporarily out due to illness but it has not prevented him from playing his part in the background, according to Bonnar. "Even in training he is playing a part, getting the troops together. He's a very good captain.''

Last Sunday, Tipperary surprisingly went down to Offaly in their first outing of the NHL season. Bonnar was not too concerned.

"It was the first time in several years they had the Birr players available. And it's Mike McNamara's second year in charge. He was only finding his feet last year. Now, he knows more about the lads.

"We had five or six lads making their senior debut and we were without a lot of the experienced lads. We competed well, but we had a couple of goal chances which we didn't take. They got a goal at a vital stage and we paid for our lost chances.

"We were pleased with the work-rate, but the message was that we need to be more clinical in our finishing.''

Tomorrow, Tipperary are visitors to the redeveloped Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, hoping for a better return but mindful that their hosts too, will be fired up after losing their opening game to Cork.

The loss of Philip Maher in last year's thriller against Kilkenny has tempered Tipperary's bid to reach the NHL decider this year.

However, Bonnar admits the importance of a good run in the competition, prior to the championship.

"We are not setting out our stall to win the League, but we would like to finish in the top three, which would bring us through to the next stage where we meet the top three teams in the other division.

"They would give us quality games which would be a vital stage in our preparations for the championship.''

Limerick manager Pad Joe Whelahan made it clear in a recent interview that a lot of work needs to be done in his new role, indicating that his focus is geared towards next year. Nevertheless, he recognises the importance of winning a few games to restore morale. And, Tipperary can always be guaranteed to bring out the best in tomorrow's opponents.

LIMERICK: J Cahill; D Reale, TJ Ryan, M Cahill; M O'Brien, P Lawlor, M Foley; P O'Neill, C Carey; D Ryan, J O'Brien, A O'Shaughnessy; D Sheahan, S O'Connor, P Tobin.

TIPPERARY: B Cummins; J Devane, D Kennedy, M Phelan; E Corcoran, J Carroll, D Fitzpatrick; P Kelly, E Enright; B O'Meara, S Maher, B Dunne; S Butler, G O'Grady, E Kelly.