Training trip to Spain accelerates recovery of Tipperary star Michael Cahill

No player in the Tipperary set-up benefited more from their recent training trip to Spain than Michael Cahill.

After the setback of January’s hip operation, it was the first proper piece of training he had undertaken this year.

With the likes of Cathal Barrett and Kieran Bergin ruled out of Sunday’s Division 1 semi-final, the Thurles Sarsfields man’s return to action may be quicker than expected. But no risks will be taken.

However, Spain has accelerated his recovery.

“I hadn’t done anything in three months, I was just doing running. It was a massive week for myself as I got a nice bit of training done,” he said.

“I came out feeling very positive and hopefully, I can drive on myself.”

A report yesterday claiming Cahill’s club-mate Lar Corbett was set to return to training last night provides the camp with a boost following the news of Noel McGrath’s surgery for testicular cancer scheduled for tomorrow.

Cahill hasn’t seen much of Corbett in recent times. “Larry had a totally separate injury. It was frustrating for myself and frustrating for him, having injuries like that. Not knowing where you would end up and that. I have been doing my own work and he has been doing his own work as well. Hopefully we will see him shortly.

“We haven’t seen him in a while, he’s keeping to himself, I suppose keeping his head down and by all accounts getting his work done, that’s the main thing for us. Please God we’ll get to see him because he is phenomenal talent.

“You want somebody like that in amongst your ranks, to be able to spring it at any time.”

Cahill has not enjoyed being a bystander. He skipped watching the win over Cork although was buoyed by the nature of the result after Tipperary had been 12 points behind.

“Something like that will stick with you throughout the year. It’s a great sign of a team to come back like that.”

He credited that win to the substitutes and he acknowledges the depth in the panel is healthy right now and should help negate their injuries and Seamus Callanan’s suspension on Sunday.

“Back in 2010 and ‘09 when we were going well as a group and we’d have the 15 on 15 games, often the so-called second 15 would win it.

“It’s a great sign of a team when you have those guys firing and the competition is there because you don’t know who is going to start any day. We’re just happy to have the competition there.

“Seamie is a big loss but we can’t dwell on that. Someone else will get a chance to prove themselves so it is an opportunity in itself as well.”

Waterford’s style has drawn the attention of several, including Tipperary.

“You can’t dwell on what other teams are doing a whole pile either but we are well aware of it. Waterford have this game plan going on at the moment, it’s quite defensive and it’s working well for them.”