I have seen a few of the hurlers playing football up close and they are incredible footballers some of them. Cathal Barrett can kick points from anywhere. John McGrath is arguably equally talented at football as he is at hurling. I once saw him ping 5 45’s over the bar in a row.
Killenaule turned up to a football match with commericals a few years ago without any footballs. They had to ask one of the commericals mentors for a lend of a ball so they could kick it around during the warm up. The commercials fella told him in no uncertain terms where to go. Killenaule subsequently went out and gave them a lesson. You could count on one hand how many football sessions they had all year.
Camross are very fond of that story as well. Not to mention the one about the hurlers getting injured and the Chairman holding calling a special EGM to “bursht all the balls”. Great yarns to be fair, but yarns nonetheless.
I can confirm what @johnnysachs has said is true. It’s more or less the same group of players for hurling and football. They train 2 nights a week for hurling.
That said, Declan Fanning, Kieran Bergin, Matthew O’Donnell, Tony Doyle, Paddy Codd, Jimmy Feehan and Eddie O’Brien have all played Senior Intercounty Football for Tipp.
Which part? That Cathal Barrett can kick a point from anywhere? Or that John McGrath is equally talented at football as at hurling? Or the bit about him pinging (FFS) 45’s?
If Tipp footballers had the hurlers available to them…
You’d most definitely have John McGrath starting. Obviously Steven O Brien who might go back to football. Seamus Kennedy has played county and would definitely get on the panel. Noel McGrath would be close. The likes of Bubbles would hold his own. I think Seamie plays centre back for Drom. Even Paudie Maher was a fine underage footballer.
Ah would you stop. Seamie plays centre back for Drom. For fuck sake. Are we supposed to assume he’s Maurice Fitzgerald or something because he can play centre back in club football in Tipperary ?
Borrisoleigh are the most improved team by far in Tipp SHC. In the Kennys and Jerry Kelly they have inherited 3 quality forwards. Theyre manager Johny Kelly has been a success everywhere he has went and is clearly tactically astute.
Brendan Maher is Borris sweeper, they generally rely on the two Kennys (Conor especially to win high ball) and Dan McCormock. Theyre plan clearly is tailored for the players they have. But the problem is I cant see that matching the Sars. Number 1 I expect Ronan Maher to curtail Conor Kenny.
Secondly the sweeper allows sars backs time on the ball, they are brilliant at scoring from distance and giving good ball into their forwards. Anyone at the semi final saw Sars putting on a exhibition of scoring 18 points in 30 minutes, the majority from about 60 yards after clever passing enabled standing shooters to score. Kilruane nearly bet Sars, while Annacarty did trouble Sars when they pushed up on them. But I dont think you will beat them playing the Sweeper.
