Maher and Thurles Sars still eager for action

You know that warm feeling hurlers talk about when the clock changes at the end of March, when they get the extra hour in the evening, and the smell of freshly mown grass is everywhere?

Well, what of the opposite when a team is facing into a game on the first day after the clocks go back, and darkness is closing in? Not a problem says Thurles Sars talisman and captain Padraic Maher, as his side heads for Kilmallock this Sunday.

“It’s kind of a natural transition really, once you get to the Munster championship, you’re playing in wintry conditions, softer grounds,” he said. “Even if it’s not raining, the ground is after getting heavy. Anyway, isn’t it great to be still hurling at this time of year?”

Two years ago Sars made that same journey to Kilmallock and after a titanic tussle, emerged winners, 2-10 to 0-11. Having recently regained the Tipperary title and Kilmallock conquering Limerick again, luck would have it that they renew rivalries.

“Playing inside the county is very different to playing in Munster, and especially going to Kilmallock. We know we’re facing into a right battle and we have a few good days of training under our belts. Please God, it will stand to us.

“The last time it was a really hard match, one of the hardest I’ve played, a lot of physicality. Then there’s the ground, the way the crowd seems on top of you and it was packed that day an intimidating place to play.”

And yet there are those in Kilmallock who say their own pitch doesn’t suit their style of play, that they’re much better on a bigger field where their speed and athleticism come more into play. Padraic’s not buying that though.

“Look, it is their own pitch. They know it well. That has to be an advantage. They’ll have a big home crowd too, another advantage, though we’d be hoping that a big crowd will follow us again.

“We prefer a big pitch anyway but sure look, wide pitch or narrow we don’t mind, it’s all about getting the right result. We know we were lucky to get the win last time. Kilmallock missed a lot of chances but we’re looking forward to taking them on again. We kind of know what to expect now, having been there before.”

Kilmallock did indeed miss a golden opportunity that afternoon, hitting eight wides in the second half alone and were undone by the two Sars second-half goals. The first of those was by the 2010 hurler of the year, Lar Corbett; the second, late in the game by young substitute Michael O’Brien. Though they went on to lose the Munster final to De La Salle by a point, that was a fine Thurles Sars team. This year, says Padraic, they’re even better.

“A lot of the lads who played then are still there but they’re two years wiser now. Aidan McCormack and Mikey O’Brien came on as subs back then and changed the match.

“Aidan got a point, Mikey got 1-1 and all those scores came at a really vital time. Both of them are starters now, they have that extra experience and that should stand to them. All in all, I think we’re a better team, yes.”

So too, however are Kilmallock. Expect another fine contest.