O’Brien goes from bit parts to the starring role for Toomevara

HE’S played only bit parts in Toomevara’s run to this year’s Tipp final, missed out in their dramatic last-second semi-final win over Mullinahone, and for the two weeks since then has been an injury-doubt.

But there was no doubting John O’Brien’s contribution to this win. Man-of-the-match, 1-4 from play, the long-time Tipp senior star was immense. “I kinda knew during the week I’d make it, I felt good enough, but you never know ‘til the game starts how good you’re going to be.”

Having come back from seven points down to tie the game in the 42nd minute, Toomevara immediately conceded advantage to Nenagh Éire Óg again, two points in rapid succession. After the second, Toome keeper James McGrath sent a huge puck-out, caught by O’Brien on the Nenagh 45; he turned, saw a gap, took off.

“I’m not the best man for speed, but when I caught it I hoped I’d have enough pace, and I hoped the hamstring would hold up. I got through the gap and then I thought, ‘have a go’. I was expecting someone to hook me, thought they were on my back, but it worked out. Tommy, Terry and Tony were winning their 10th medals, but they’re all sweet, every one of them.” That’s team captain Tommy Dunne, his brother Terry, along with veteran full-back Tony Delaney. In a half-back line that absolutely dominated the second half, Terry was immense on the right wing, added to his defensive dominance with a towering point from inside his own half.

“I was going for it,” he said. “But I wasn’t sure it would get there – hit it up and let God direct it. There were a few enthusiastic words said at half-time, we knew the match was there for the taking, but we weren’t playing well. We just said, we wouldn’t mind being beaten if we at least went out and hurled, and that’s what we did.”

For Tommy, this medal was as sweet as any, perhaps even sweeter. “This is the best, because it’s today. We were under the cosh, they were hurling better than us, but that’s what experience teaches you, just keep plugging away. We knew if we were within touching distance at half-time we’d have a chance, we cranked it up a notch in the second half. The half-back line was the secret of it, Joey McLoughney (young substitute) made a great contribution, they gave us the platform, the scores came.”

As for Nenagh coach Michael Cleary, no complaints. “Four points scored in the second half, after being seven points up? Not enough. We were in great position at half-time, I knew they’d come at us, and I actually thought we had it weathered after we scored our first point. Didn’t happen. Their half-back line took over, great second half, then John O’Brien scored that fantastic goal. Toome were the better team, that’s it.”