Brian Gavin factor will influence team strategies

It was last Tuesday when word emerged from Croke Park that Brian Gavin had been appointed to take charge of this Sunday’s Munster semi-final.

Addressing the media the following day, TJ Ryan felt he could speak for both himself and Eamon O’Shea when he said the news had an influence on their preparations.

Widely regarded as one of - if not the most - liberal referee at inter-county level, Offaly man Gavin will be expected to let things flow in the Gaelic Grounds. Two years ago, then Clare selector Mike Deegan revealed they attempted to speak to referees before games to ascertain what they look out for. Ryan readily admitted the identity of the man in black is a consideration for Limerick in their build-up.

“The reality is it does. Anybody that says any different is lying. I think the game of hurling, I was at the game last week (Waterford v Cork), do tend to take on a life of their own.

“They’re difficult to referee. Down on the sideline now, you see the pace, the intensity, the way the ball moves up and down the pitch, it’s difficult to referee.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on and even the whole Seanie Tobin incident, that happens in hurling, it’s difficult. At the same time, it’s a difficult job for him too and you have to get an understanding of that. You’re trying to do that and I think players are trying to do that to a degree. At the same time, for most players when they cross that white line, adrenaline takes over.”

Would Gavin have sent off Tobin for his clash with Clare’s Patrick O’Connor? It’s unlikely but Ryan is philosophical enough to appreciate much of what goes on carries with it an element of fortune. That being said, he has conversed with referees himself following non-competitive games.

“To be honest, I’ve spoken to a few of the referees at different times. In challenge games, it might be the thing to do and they try to advise you about what they’re trying to get rid or look out for a bit more.

“Look at the physicality of our game against Kilkenny last year - at other times it can be a little bit looser.

“We’re always looking for decisions to go our way but with the game of hurling, there will be different opinions and it’s the referee’s opinion on the day.

“It’s the beauty of hurling, some referees give them, some don’t.”

Considering his Garryspillane is a handful of kilometres away from the Limerick-Tipperary border, there is no rivalry more intense for Ryan than Sunday’s fourth Munster SHC meeting between the counties in as many years.

He has his fond memories like the two final games in 1996 just as he has ones he would rather forget like 2002 when his heroics at full-back couldn’t stop them.

Having beaten them the last two seasons, the 40-year-old anticipates a fervent challenge from O’Shea’s side: “The two games that Tipp played in the All-Ireland final, their physicality had moved on from the first round last year, I do think so.

“They’ve been around a while, they are one of the best teams in the country. I do see that coming. The reality is that having beaten us for the last two years, they’ll probably be coming after us.”

Just as well Limerick don’t fear Tipperary. Just as well they will be expected to bring the customary combination of fire and brimstone to the Ennis Road at the weekend. Both are stereotypes Limerick have had to live with. Ryan doesn’t pay them much notice.

“It doesn’t get to me but as a manager of a team. What you want to do is be prepared as best as you can be physically. We know this is going to be another huge battle, we have to make sure we’re ready for this and I believe we are. You take on this job for days like this, it’s part of it.”

The generalisations about Limerick remain but Ryan sense they’re getting the credit they deserve now: “I think so. We probably brought some of it on ourselves but over the last couple of seasons this team has proven itself to be a good team, getting better year on year.

“It is tough, the current competition is very tight. We did have a disappointing league campaign this year at the same time. You take a bit of criticism for that and fully deserved at the time because we didn’t play well enough. Look, we trained hard before the Clare game, we knew what we had to do and we got a result. Then you try to build on that and build more momentum.”