Maher expects seamless transition to new management team

FAMILIARITY breeds contentment — or so says 2010 young hurler of the year Brendan Maher as All-Ireland champions Tipperary get ready to start their season under new manager Declan Ryan.

Although Liam Sheedy has stepped aside, along with coach Eamon O’Shea and selector Michael Ryan, Maher and his team-mates were delighted the back-room team, including physical trainer Cian O’Neill, have stuck around.

However, Maher also feels the players’ previous acquaintances with the new management, either at minor or U21 level or, like Brendan Cummins, Eoin Kelly and Lar Corbett, lining out alongside them for Tipperary, has made the transition seamless. All in all, over two-thirds of the All-Ireland winning panel have either been coached or played with a member of the management trio of Ryan, Tommy Dunne and Michael Gleeson.

“I think it’s great all the lads have stayed on,” said Maher about the support team at the launch of the new Puma King Finale boot. “You see John Casey, our physio, and Mick Clohessy, our masseur, and it’s great to have those same faces around. It’s not that much of a change for the minor lads because we had Deccy at minor and Tommy at U21 last year so it doesn’t feel like much of a change.”

Maher understands there will be no honeymoon period for the management because of the heights reached last year. The Borrisileigh man believes nothing less than victory will do against Kilkenny in Thurles on Saturday evening.

“Kilkenny have a strong panel and great lads coming up. Whatever team they put out they’re going to have 15 good hurlers and you feel it’s the same in Tipperary whether it’s the 15 who started last year’s All-Ireland final or 15 new lads. We’re expected to win and we’re expected to perform, we’re happy to go with that.”

After two aborted attempts to stage last year’s corresponding fixture because of bad weather, Tipperary came out on top to rub some balm on their wounds from the previous September’s All-Ireland final defeat. Now the roles are reversed, Maher fully expects a Kilkenny backlash this weekend. “Aw, definitely. It’s anyone’s game at this time of the year. Everyone is starting on the same playing field. I know speaking from 2010 after the 2009 final we were motivated to get a crack at Kilkenny and they’re going to be the same this year as will every team. But it’s 2011 and we’re forgetting about 2010.”

With James Woodlock back after his horrific leg injury, competition for midfield places has gone up another notch but Maher isn’t complaining. “Everyone’s starting from scratch and everyone’s place is up for grabs. I’m hopeful of getting my place again and looking forward to playing hurling this year.”