Toomevara focused on Shamrocks, says Herbert

A WEEK OFF — that’s the reward being granted the Toomevara players by manager Pat Herbert after their late late Munster final heroics on Sunday.

“There’s a cracker of a game waiting for us on the 11th of February, probably in Portlaoise, in the All-Ireland semi-final against Ballyhale Shamrocks. That’s our new focus. The guys are on a bit of a break this week but we come back next week, intend maintaining our training programme right through the festive season. The whole focus now is on Ballyhale Shamrocks. I’ll have a look at the tapes I have of their last two games but they destroyed Birr, destroyed Rathnure (Leinster final and semi-final respectively), had an impressive win in their own county final too. They’re a balanced side, dangerous forwards, and of course they have the hurler-of-the-year and the young hurler-of-the-year in Henry Shefflin and ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick. They have to be respected.”

All teams at this level have to be accorded respect but the Kilkenny champions are indeed impressive and will probably be favourites. “I’d say so,” agrees Pat, “But it’s like yesterday, you never know which way a game is going to go. Favourites or not, it means nothing — a bit of luck, a decision here or there, conditions on the day, you just don’t know. We’re aiming to reach the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1993/94.”