Whelahan: that’s the greatest Birr team

BIRR manager Pad Joe Whelahan is a passionate man at the most mundane of times so stick a microphone under his nose after his side have won yet another provincial title and the results are always likely to be entertaining.

With his captain Gary Hanniffy still giving his acceptance speech, Pad Joe was already revving up the vocal chords and the Offaly county board were specifically targeted by the man who was again overlooked for the job of county manager this year despite his Midas touch with Birr.

"We got in there early and hit them hard and that's what Offaly hurling did for years. That's the greatest Birr team the greatest club team of all time. We proved it today. DJ Carey what did he get from play? What did Carter get? A group of ordinary hurlers bet them," Whelahan offered from the muddy touchline.