Liam Sheedy: So long, Bubbles, it was a privilege to work with one of Tipp's most skillful 

There were times we sparked off each other. But we got to know each other and over time we connected and struck up a strong bond.

EMBRACEABLE YOU: Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy celebrates winning the 2019 All-Ireland final against Kilkenny, with John O’Dwyer. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

When I returned to the Tipperary job in 2019, I only knew Bubbles by his genius. By his wrists. The wonderful scores he’d got over the years for Tipp. That incredible goal in the 2016 final. I admired his skill and bravery. For a small man, he often came down from the clouds with ball. And you’d rather nobody else had the ball. But I wondered about him too. How had a guy with that ability slipped to the fringes of the Tipp team? Had he the hunger for it? Was he just drifting?

We met in the Horse and Jockey and sat across from each other. I looked into his eyes and sensed this was a guy who would do whatever it took to do his talent justice again. I set a goal that day to make sure he did.