Managers ‘more in tune with players’ needs’

IMPROVING communications between team managers is one of the keys to avoiding player burnout, agrees young Tipperary hurler Shane McGrath.

Facing into his second season and hoping to consolidate his position, he is one of many who in recent months have been juggling commitments to third-level colleges — in his case Limerick IT — and inter-county teams.

Factor in an involvement at U21 level (although not in his case any longer) and it’s easy to understand how hurlers and footballers in this age bracket face huge physical demands, between training, playing and travel. And, there’s also the small matter of attending to their studies!

He believes county managers nowadays are more in tune with players’ needs in this category and it’s worth pointing out that Babs Keating is also involved at third-level with UCD. “The Fitzgibbon Cup is the highest level after the Liam McCarthy Cup and county managers see the value of that. If you are training for the Fitzgibbon, they will let you off (training) a night or two. That way, the risk of burnout is small. There’s no point in burning yourself out by doing all the training with the different teams,” he says.

McGrath, from the Ballinahinch club, is again named at midfield for Sunday’s second round game in the Allianz National League against Kilkenny at Nowlan Park. Colin Morrissey played alongside him for the opening round away to Limerick but he has since lost out to Francis Devaney, one of several players from Toomevara who come into the team following their exit from the AIB All-Ireland club championship.

McGrath doesn’t have to stress the importance of the Kilkenny game to Tipp. Rivalry between the counties has always been intense, except that nowadays it would be recognised as being more sporting than hostile — rather different to the early years of Babs Keating’s own playing career.

“The counties are traditional rivals, they are so close to each other and the games always attract big crowds,” he says. “We know we have to win and it would be a great boost in our effort to get to the knockout stages. We don’t want to be going too long without a competitive game before we play in the championship. We are normally out in the middle of May but this year we won’t be playing until June 10.”

While he is not unfamiliar with the Nowlan Park pitch (he played there three years ago when Tipp were hammered by Kilkenny in the U21 final), this will be McGrath’s first outing there with the senior team. And, his sense of anticipation is fuelled by the recognition that Kilkenny are the benchmark by which all other teams are measured.

“It will be a good test, it doesn’t get any better to be playing the All-Ireland champions. But we know it won’t be easy. But a win would really ‘drive’ us on and get the interest back. All the lads are really focused. Some of them have been around a while and have not won anything for a few years!”

More immediately, McGrath is hoping Tipp can put the lessons learned from their narrow defeat by Limerick in the first round to good use. “Ollie Moran’s late goal was the difference at the end,” recalls McGrath. “They got a goal when we needed it.”

John Carroll starts this game, after being limited to a second half introduction in Nenagh. McGrath agrees that experienced players like the Roscrea man are a valuable asset to the squad, specifically to younger players like himself. “It’s great for the like of me, being relatively new to the scene, to have someone like him around. If he gets the ball he’ll take it on. He is always going to do the right thing. It helps to bring on the younger lads.”

Looking beyond Sunday’s game, McGrath is optimistic about LIT’s chances in the Fitzgibbon Cup in Carlow. Davy Fitzgerald, devoting his full energy to the team while his inter-county career remains in limbo, is the manager and Cyril Farrell operates in the background, a calming influence with a wealth of experience.

“We have prepared well and put in the miles,” adds McGrath. “We’re hoping we can bring the title back!”