Hard work paying off for Benji’s boys

The Nire manager Benji Whelan believes an innovative approach to their physical preparations is the secret behind their progression to Sunday’s Munster club football decider against Austin Stacks.

The Kilmacthomas native was previously involved with the strength and conditioning for the Waterford minor hurling team and U21 footballers.

And he brought that knowledge with him to the Ballymacarbry side — though his early policy of hill runs and a different approach to weights training wasn’t universally welcomed at first.