Ronan Maher: Tipp have more than back-to-back glory driving them

Tipperary are aiming to retain the All-Ireland hurling title for the first time since 1965

An extended break during the autumn and winter allowed Ronan Maher to undergo surgery for Gilmore's groin. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

They may be so far under the radar that they are subterranean but Ronan Maher senses the crosshairs are on Tipperary’s backs as All-Ireland champions.

This is the 30-year-old’s third time holding the moniker of reigning All-Ireland champion, and as he knows from 2017 and ’20, it carries weight.

“There are always new pressures. Everybody is looking at you as All-Ireland champions. You always have that speculation outside of the group, you just try and block it out and focus on ourselves.” 

Of course, to be part of the first Tipperary team since 1965 to successfully defend an All-Ireland title is a goal for Maher. But it’s not the only one, he insists.

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“Everyone in the media mentions back-to-back. It is something you can’t avoid. You hear it everywhere you go but it is not your main motivator as a player in the dressing room.

“There are lots of other things we have to go after. We don’t go into the dressing room before every game or training session and speak about back-to-back, that’s not the way it is.

“Individually and as a team collectively, you have to have new motivational factors going into a new year and we have them, it isn’t just back-to-back.” 

The quiet build-up isn’t exactly ideal for Tipperary, Maher explains. “You look back over the last few years and teams that have went well in the league got out of Munster and went on well in the All-Ireland championship.” 

Their league campaign provided more questions than answers. Like what happened against Limerick in February when they went down by 15 points in Thurles. Maher dismisses the idea they pulled the handbrake.

“I don’t think you would ever see a Tipperary team taking a dive. It was just one of those nights. We lacked energy and Limerick came wanting to get a win, they were really sharp and their efficiency was really good and that is what we took away from the game was the scores they got.

“It shows if you don’t turn up on the night what can happen, you can be blitzed. Limerick are a quality side, everyone knows that, and their league campaign this year has shown us they haven’t gone anywhere.” 

Maher would never wish his beloved Thurles Sarsfields to exit a senior county championship as early as the group stages. Inferior score difference meant their interests in the competition ended in the first week of September.

Yet the extended break afforded Maher the chance to undergo surgery for Gilmore’s groin, which had required running repairs throughout last season.

Tipp’s delayed penultimate Division 1A win over Waterford last month was his first start of the season. “It probably took a bit longer to come right than I had hoped but thankfully I am at the other end of it now and getting up to speed of everything.

“It’s a tricky injury. I have been very lucky my whole career that I have had very little injuries. It is an awkward one in that it is all about the load and the increased intensity.” 

The Garda and part-time hurley maker describes as “pandemonium” what it’s like to be involved in a Munster SHC game but it’s experiences like Sunday that enthral him.

“Especially, here in Thurles, Tipp and Cork is going to be unbelievable and the crowds around it. As a player, and especially as a Tipp player, you want to be part of it.

“It is difficult when you are leading up to it. You can be very excited but you also want to be in the best mind frame going into a game. It is tough and intense, week on week, but it only when you look back after you realise what it was. Everybody gets so excited about the Munster championship. As players, it is the best position to be in.”