McGrath and Seymour have 'the gears' to take them to Tipperary set up

The Tipperary champions had no outfield player in Liam Cahill’s panel for this summer’s Munster and All-Ireland series, an oddity heavily criticised by Kiladangan captain Alan Flynn following their county final replay win last month.

WHAT IT TAKES: Kildangan’s Billy Seymour, Barry Hogan and Declan McGrath celebrate at the end of the game. Pic: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Kiladangan manager John O’Meara has said that Declan McGrath and Billy Seymour have “the gears” to take them into Liam Cahill’s Tipperary hurling set-up.

The Tipperary champions had no outfield player in Cahill’s panel for this summer’s Munster and All-Ireland series, an oddity heavily criticised by Kiladangan captain Alan Flynn following their county final replay win last month.

Along with his brother Paul and Willie Connors, Flynn was not included in the Tipp training panel last November. Full-back James Quigley, meanwhile, was cut following the Allianz League. Goalkeeper Barry Hogan lost his spot between the sticks to Rhys Shelly after the county's second Munster round-robin fixture.

“We got thrown under the bus last year, not brought back in, and we were not happy about it at all,” said Alan Flynn.

“I think they disregarded us as a club. It was absolutely ridiculous. You’re telling me there’s no one out there good enough to be on the Tipperary team? It’s absolutely madness.” 

Looking to 2024, manager John O’Meara, when asked about the inter-county potential of Declan McGrath and marksman Billy Seymour, both of whom are in their mid-20s, said the pair possess the tools to make the step up.

McGrath, who alternated between midfield and the half-back line for Kiladangan this season, clipped three points from play before departing injured from their Munster semi-final defeat on Sunday.

“He is an unbelievable talent,” said O’Meara. “He tweaked a hamstring or calf for a finish, that is why he came off. His display was exceptional. A super player. He certainly has the gears to go further.” 

Seymour has already worn the blue and gold and has already hurled under Cahill at underage. He top-scored with 2-5 on the afternoon of Tipperary’s 2019 All-Ireland U20 final win over Cork. The sole point from that tally that didn’t come from play was a converted sideline cut.

“Billy is doing it all year. Every year, he is doing it,” O’Meara remarked. “He is the top-scorer in the Tipp championship. Again, he is one that can definitely go wherever he wants to go.”