Eye of the tiger

HENRY SHEFFLIN was the man of the moment, yet again! But, this time it was extra-special for the Ballyhale Shamrocks man, Kilkenny icon and one of hurling’s prized treasurers.

Overcoming the eye injury he received in the replay with Clare eight days earlier, he was given medical clearance to line out yesterday and inspired the Cats with his magic.

County Board Chairman Ned Quinn agreed his presence had given the team a huge boost, commenting: “just as I would have to acknowledge that the loss of John Mullane was a massive blow to Waterford. Henry is a superb player and a superb leader and would have been an unbelievable loss to us.”

Shefflin was thinking of Mullane too and of the many people, from ‘little children to old ladies’, who sent him get-well messages. And, he was grateful to doctor Tadhg Crowley, the staff in Ardkeen Hospital and his own team mates.

He admitted that initially he wasn’t sure if he could line out, even though he had the reassurance of knowing there was no damage to the eye. The first good news was when his surgeon gave him ‘a good indication’ on Wednesday night.

“I had to get my mind focused on the game. That was what I tried to do anyway,” he explained. The following night he trained on his own and on Friday night, joined with the squad.

“When you start off and you ‘miss’ that ball, you ask yourself, is it because of my eye.’ But, it was grand. However, I still missed them!”

The second of his two goals came when he tapped home a right wing cross from John Hoyne. And, having no doubt that he didn’t step into the square before the ball arrived, he admitted to having sympathy for corner-back James Murray and ’keeper Ian O’Regan.

“It was difficult for them because the ball was hanging there. I just came in, in the last second, and luckily enough I got a flick on it. A 6-foot frame and a 37-inch hurley helped me a small bit,” he joked.

The last ten minutes had been hectic, he agreed.

“We hadn’t chances to think. We should have put over a few scores. Waterford are a great team with some great players and obviously they were going to come back at us. We were falling back, the ball was coming out and it seemed to be going straight back up. They were putting savage pressure on our backs, but luckily they held out.”

Shefflin said he felt sorry for Mullane, commenting: “it’s an awful thing to miss an All-Ireland semi- final. That’s what you dream about. I know John, he’s a nice fellow, but he’s young and I’m sure Waterford will be back because they have plenty good hurlers.”

Right now, he’s looking forward to a rest of sorts, with the squad returning to their clubs for the next two weeks.

“The club is important but we would be looking forward to a break. The best part is we can look forward to the All-Ireland final.”