Brennan: Henry embodies our spirit

EDDIE BRENNAN eventually got around to speaking about his “stint in the stand” and the joy of being in a Kilkenny team in a victorious final — his first start since last year’s final.

But his first words were for teammate Henry Shefflin. Of the remarkable journey the great man had made since his knee crumbled at the worst possible time 12 months ago.

“The one thing about Henry Shefflin is that you can’t speak highly enough of the man. There are no airs and graces about Henry — he’s one of the boys.

“He epitomises what it is to be a part of this set up. At the end of the day, if you think you have it cracked or whatever it is — and Brian [Cody] has mentioned it down through the years — you’re at nothing.

“Hard work is what it’s all about and Henry Shefflin done that. To see him doing that after what he’s been through that filters down through the rest of the lads.”

Holding court in a tracksuit after putting his gear in the team bus’ undercarriage, Shefflin looked like the one of the lads Brennan spoke about even though he had joined the pantheon of greats in winning an eighth All-Ireland title.

It wasn’t about that for him yesterday. It was making a return to All-Ireland final day — a successful return. And, by Christ, it was sweet.

“They are all sweet but for myself personally coming back from injury and that and I suppose this time last year did I think I’d be back here and play my part? Probably not and that makes it all the sweeter.”

About making it eight Celtic Crosses, he said it wasn’t on his mind. “I’ll be honest today it’s not. I was just delighted to get back but in a few days when I sit down and think about it I suppose it will be.

“I’m just delighted to be back, feeling healthy and looking forward to going playing for my club again and not to be walking out of here on crutches again is a big thing for me today.

“My family said to me once you come home safe and healthy that’s the most important thing and no one likes to go through six months of rehab or anything like that.

“It’s not easy so just to be out there — when the final whistle goes that’s all worth it then.”

At times, Shefflin might have got a little muddled in describing the trip from agony 12 months ago to ecstasy this year — but you got the point. “It’s 360 [sic] degree turn and last year the prospect of surgery etc but for the lads it’s great.

“We have great individuals in there not alone in the team but panel and management. We have good down to earth, honest individuals and that’s why I think we are back to be honest and we love doing what we are doing.

“But to be fair to Tipp they’ll be back because they are the exact same and you can’t beat hunger and that comes from losing last year and that’s sport if you’re down you want to get back to the top.”

But Brennan has his own story to tell after a difficult enough past 12 months — even if it didn’t compare to Shefflin’s.

Confined to just two substitute second-half appearances this year, yesterday was a testament to Brennan’s faith and will.

“I’ve been very lucky to be on the other side of the coin for a long, long time and starting.

“The stint in the stand is the hardest place to be. Any of the subs will tell you on any team across the country that it’s so hard to sit up in the stand. You’re kind of helpless as such, so I suppose when the chance comes you take it with both hands.

“For TJ Reid, for example, he was shocking disappointed to be left off the team for the biggest day but he came in today and if he wasn’t tuned in, if he hadn’t a good attitude he wouldn’t have contributed to us today but he did handsomely.

“Again, that’s what it’s about — getting in there and doing a job. I was given a job today and that was it.”

Brennan admitted they saw chinks in Tipperary’s armour against Dublin but knew they had “to go past Dublin’s work rate” to beat last year’s champions.

Keeping Tipperary’s key men quiet was imperative.

“Not too many lads would like to be following Lar [Corbett] around for the day, the form he’s been in the last three years, and I think Jackie [Tyrrell] held him scoreless today.

“That was a big thing, Lar is a great player for Tipp. The same with Eoin Kelly, I think their returns from play today were poor enough.

“That takes discipline as well. The lazy thing to do is to slap in and foul a fella.

“To maintain that discipline and wait for the ball to be shown... there were a couple of great flicks today — JJ Delaney, Tommy Walsh, Paul Murphy in his first All-Ireland showing unbelievable maturity there in the second half.”