Stand-in captain, stand-out player

A THROW-AWAY line from Benny Dunne — that Limerick are ‘standing in their way’ — could be interpreted as their neighbours being viewed as an unnecessary obstruction barring their path to the Munster hurling final.

But placed in its proper context, Tipp’s stand-in captain was merely alluding to the fact that just one victory would see them through to the decider.

It’s not as if he is dismissive of the challenge confronting them. The way he sees it, Cork and Kilkenny have been raising the bar for all pretenders to the throne and it’s up to these counties — Tipp included — to come up to their standard.

Nominated as captain for the duration of John O’Brien’s injury, he acknowledges that, foremost among the challengers, Waterford have made steady progress in that regard.

“Nobody could be surprised; they have been knocking on the door for the last ten years, they are a classy side,’’ he said.

“They are really after sorting out their backline this year, they have two great midfielders and their forwards speak for themselves.

“We felt we were going fairly well in the league until we got to the quarter-final and they knocked us out. But, they showed how good they are by beating Cork in the semi-final and then Kilkenny.

“And that’s something we would take encouragement from, that they can compete with the best. It’s healthy for the game to see other teams coming through and raising the bar.’’

Having already experienced the frustration of a big defeat this year, with Toomevara in the All-Ireland club semi-final, Dunne has an extra incentive to do well. A hamstring problem ruled him out for much of last year — confining him to a mere 10 minutes of championship action — but, it’s a case of so far, so good.

He takes the captaincy in his stride (learning from his brother Thomas, who has finally given up the game) and he admits to being philosophical about where he plays.

Previously, it was in the half-forward line, but his preference is for midfield or half-back.

“This year is a new year for me. I’m happy to be fit, number one, and then to get on the team. You have to be flexible and I have been used in different places, but I would hope to settle into one position.’’

Thomas opted out of hurling after a disappointing end to his career, when he was sent off in the All-Ireland semi-final against Shamrocks.

“He didn’t want any fuss about his retirement,’’ added Benny.

“He’s moving on. He’s with the Tipperary minors and he’s delighted. For us to lose to Shamrocks was probably the most disappointing of all, because it’s such a long battle to get back there again. I think we played 29 matches last year between challenge and championship. We would hope to get back, but the biggest danger is ‘being caught’ in the county championship.

“We got two weeks break after the game and then it was straight back in with Tipp. It’s tough going — it’s one year rolling into the next with hardly any break. That’s the toughest part of it — demanding from a work perspective, to try and fit it in with other commitments. But, you do it while you’re young and when you can!’’

Having a legendary figure like Babs Keating at the helm makes it that bit easier, he points out.

“Babs is great for the county as a whole, because everybody rows in behind him. Coming in as manager gave everybody a great lift.

“Add in the fact that the minors made an overdue breakthrough last year and the Under-21s only lost in the All-Ireland final in a replay, and supporters are more optimistic about the immediate future.

“We have played Cork in the last two finals and were not that far away. At the same time they were that step ahead of us as regards real quality. They are so used to winning that their confidence is that bit higher. We really put our shoulders to the wheel after losing the league quarter-final. One win and we’re in the final. People might say the appetite isn’t there for the provincial championships, but it’s always going to be there for Munster.

“The real thing is the All-Ireland quarter-finals but there’s a provincial championship to be played for. And that’s what we are aiming for first-up because we haven’t won a trophy since 2001. And, any trophy at this stage would be a bonus.

“You can’t beat winning games. That’s what gives you confidence, what you need going to Croke Park. You need wins behind you so you know when the crunch comes, you are going to be there or thereabouts."