'Like a FÁS course': Loughmore negotiate realities of life to defend Tipperary title

Loughmore-Castleiney went into Sunday's Tipperary SHC final against Nenagh not know if Lorcan Egan would be fit to start. He lost 5kg during the week due to a gastric issue.

Loughmore-Castleiney will face Clare champions Éire Óg in the Munster SHC semi-final. Pic: ©INPHO/Paul Barrett

Now that he has them all to himself, Eamonn Kelly won’t know himself but he admits Loughmore-Castleiney’s successful title defence wasn’t all plain sailing.

The manager isn’t referring to sharing the players with the football team who exited the championship the previous weekend but how life events took over earlier in the year.

“The start of the year was difficult, we had five weddings to contend with up to June. Between them, five weddings is five stag parties, so it was really like a week-on and a week-off, like a FÁS course there for a while,” he smiled.

“But thankfully the lads, the effort they've put in, in the last six months in particular, has been massive and great credit to Donal (O’Rourke) and Hughie (Hannon) and the coaching staff and to Paul Treacy in particular from the fitness side of things, they had the lads in top shape.” 

In the build-up to the final, there were injury concerns around a number of players such as captain Liam McGrath and John McGrath. Most serious among them was Lorcan Egan, who was given the role of following Jake Morris.

“We didn't know until we were doing the warm-up today whether Lorcan Egan was going to be able to play. Lorcan gave two or three days in hospital this week with a gastric issue and lost five kilos, I could do with losing that. But I could see him out in the field, he just wanted to be there and I thought he had a great game.

“The likes of John had a knock, Liam had a knock and Lorcan was sick, but they're great players, you want to try and get them on the pitch and we felt if they were going to have any chance, we'd start them because there was no point, they weren't going to be able to come on, they weren't going to start, so we'd see how long they would go and when Liam went off with a couple of minutes to go, they all acquitted themselves very well.

“I suppose we've a bit of experience, lads don't panic, I think our bench made an impact, Liam Tracey came on there, Tommy Maher, they all made a huge impact, and probably that bit of experience got them across the line.” 

Illness also affected the group prior to facing Ballygunner in last year’s Munster championship. A date with another Éire Óg in Ennis awaits them in next month’s semi-final.

“Last year, we went down to Ballygunner and some of the lads were sick going down. Listen, Ballygunner are a great side. But we felt we didn't get a chance to show what we're capable of doing. And it's great to get back there and have the opportunity to go play Ennis, who are a very good side.

“I've seen them play two or three times. We'll prepare for that the best we can. We'll enjoy this for a few days and we'll regroup later on in the week.”