Maher: We can go all the way this year

Tipperary hurler Padraic Maher believes his side can bounce back from their All-Ireland final heartbreak and reclaimed the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2012.

The Premier County lost hold of the title following a four-point defeat to Kilkenny at Croke Park earlier this month.

Speaking at the launch of X Box 360 game 'Gears of War 3', the 22-year-old defender expressed Tipp's determination to get back challenging for silverware.

"We didn't do ourselves justice on the day. We just didn't turn up at all. It does hurt but hopefully we can bring that hurt into next year and drive it on and it might bring us over the line," he said.

"We are not doubting our ability at all and definitely we can go the whole way again next year."

But Maher realises that it is not going to be easy to get back to the top of the hurling world.

"It is going to be tough. Every team is raising the bar these days. It is up to us to raise it again.

"Kilkenny have done it again. They are raising that bar for the last 10 years and they are doing it again. Dublin are joining the fray now as well, so it is going to be very hard but we are relishing the challenge.

"That Kilkenny team is definitely the best team I have seen and they have fantastic players all over the field and to come off the sideline as well.

"I think Tipperary are a young team also with a fantastic panel and we are hoping that we can challenge them again next year and push it over the line."

No decisions have been made by Tipperary's 'older guns' if they are sticking around for 2012, but Maher is hopeful that all involved in this year’s campaign will be back again for another crack at it.

"A lot of lads are hurting at the moment so I don't think any decisions will be made at the moment," he explained.

"I don't think there will be many retirements anyway, because lads are hungry for success.

"No one is really happy with what happened on the first Sunday in September against Kilkenny. We want to make that wrong a right next year.

"We have a fantastic group of players together and there is nothing better than trying to drive it on next year and try and redeem ourselves."

Off the field Maher is going back to college to study Exercise & Health Fitness at UL next month, but it continues to be busy for the Thurles Sarsfields clubman on the pitch.

His focus has now switched to the club front where he is hoping to win a County Championship with Thurles.

"We got back to the club straight away after the All-Ireland final," he added.

"We are in action in the quarter-final against Noel McGrath's Loughmore-Castleiney this weekend. There is a good rivalry between the clubs and we are looking forward to it.

"There is a big test there but hopefully we will have a bit of success and it will brighten up the year a bit."