They’re a special bunch, says proud Quinn

For Thurles Sarsfields manager Seamus Quinn it was a long road to the promised land.

Sars are a storied club who can hold their heads up in any company, which made it all the more surprising that yesterday was their first Munster club title ever.

Quinn also revealed that new Tipperary hurling manager Eamon O’Shea had visited the Thurles camp during the week to give an inspirational team talk.

“A long wait,” said a jubilant Quinn. “It feels great. What can I say? We did it the hard way again – the character yet again. Delighted for them.

“These are a special bunch. They’ve won a lot up along. We were winning at minor and U21. They’re just a special bunch. Simple as that.

“They did us all proud. The lads that went before us and the lads that are there now. The whole 35 we had on the panel and even the two lads that emigrated. It’s all part of it. I’m delighted for them all.

“We just kept saying it was bit by bit, take every second as it comes and live in the moment. We can celebrate now, we’re finally there, we’ve made a bit of history. It’s something we’ve never achieved in the club.”

It’s not as if they’ve never knocked on the door. Two years ago the same two teams faced off in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the provincial final but De La Salle took the title with a football scoreline, 0-9 to 0-8 on a frozen field. However, Quinn said Thurles didn’t draw on that for motivation at all this year. “We never mentioned it. The only thing we said was about the experience you gain from those. It makes it worthwhile and it comes out in the end.

“Two years ago was tough to take but we never talked about it. Some people were talking about revenge but we said to the lads that if revenge was a motivating factor, we’re at nothing. It’s purely about living in the moment, playing every challenge, every tackle, hook and block.

“We got Eamon O’Shea in after our training session last Sunday and he spoke about that.

“He’s a great man to listen to and take some inspiration from.”

Quinn added that the Munster title had been won after a long and challenging campaign, both within Tipperary and beyond its borders.

“We’ve won nine matches to get out of Tipperary, then we had to go to Kilmallock, a tough game against Sarsfields and again today. But it stood to us – it’s a monkey off our backs and it’s a piece of history. I’m delighted for them all.

“We’ll enjoy this and get back training in a few weeks.

” But we have to celebrate this for what it is, and take on whoever it is after that.

” We’ll look forward to it, knuckle down and do our best. That’s all we can do.”