BRENDAN MAHER HAS been confirmed as Tipperary senior hurling captain for a third successive season.
The Borrisoleigh clubman will lead the Premier County into battle again next year, with Pádraic Maher retaining the role of vice-captain.
The news comes at a time when Brendan Maher looks set to revert to a midfield role for the 2016 season, having played at centre forward this year.
Manager Michael Ryan has also indicated that he is looking for greater emphasis on physicality as Tipp look to make an impact on the Allianz Hurling League and championship campaigns.
Seamus Kennedy and Steven O’Brien have come on board from the football set-up and Ryan has also included the additions of Adrian Ryan from Templederry and Mullinahone’s Sean Curran, both noted for their ball-winning abilities.
And Ryan told the Nenagh Guardian: “We were very deliberately going after guys who can compete physically and can do so quickly.
“With the modern players being incredibly athletic, there was an emphasis on more strength around the middle third as well as adding freshness and a new style to compliment what we have already got.”
Ryan has announced a panel of 40 players for winter training but despite this, Tipp will not be competing in the Munster Hurling League, a decision that he has defended.
Ryan said: “We are more than happy to take control of our own January. “The league is so frantic with two games at the start before a two-week break.
“Then you have four games in a row so it doesn’t give you much time to work with the players.
“So January will be important to us in that regard, to ensure that we are ready for February 13 when we play Dublin under lights in Thurles.
“Every League game is important and every win will be hard earned.”
Tipperary senior hurling panel
Goalkeepers: Darren Gleeson, Brian Hogan.
Defenders: Cathal Barrett, James Barry, Conor O’Brien, Michael Cahill, Padraic Maher (vice-captain), Ronan Maher, Barry Heffernan, Michael Breen, Paddy Stapleton, John Meagher, Joe O’Dwyer, Liam Ryan, Seamus Kennedy, Tomas Hamill, Willie Ryan.
Midfielders: Brendan Maher (captain), Kieran Bergin, Bill Maher, Daire Quinn, Joe Gallagher.
Forwards: John O’Dwyer, Seamus Callanan, Niall O’Meara, Patrick Maher, Noel McGrath, Liam McGrath, John McGrath, Jason Forde, Gearoid Ryan, Adrian Ryan, Dan McCormack, Conor Kenny, Kieran Morris, Andrew Coffey, Sean Ryan, Sean Curran, Steven O’Brien, Dylan Fitzell.
I suppose a natural development since Kilkenny’s physicality in the air has evolved the game into more of a physical battle. Hope there’s still a place for a Joe Deane or eoin Kelly type player in the modern game, hurling would be much poorer otherwise
There are not enough hardy lads in Tipp for the kind of game Ryan wants to impose .
I’d like to think you still need to be able to hurl to succeed tho. It’ll be interesting to see how Clare do with their pace and skill based game. I think it would be good for hurling to see them in croke park again. Hopefully Tipp can get the balance of brain and brawn right tho
Just because lads are after getting big and strong it does not mean that we after loosing a type of player.I think lads like TJ,Richie Hogan,JJ Delaney,Joe Canning and Callanan are just as skillful and class as Deane and Kelly.Just look at the player of the year nominees this year…….all three are like Houdini when they have a sliotar in their hands.Its the way the game is being played is changing.I think Kilkenny just brought more intensity rather than physicality,as the game was much more physical just as far back as 20 years ago.And more again 40 and 50yrs ago
For too long now ,Tipp have thrown away Munsters and all-Irelands due to their non physicality….
As Tommy Docherty once said when describing a Ladies team ” their lovely to look at,, but they wont hurt you ”
Maybe its time to bring back Hells Kitchen !!
I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out why maher was centre forward last year. I think right half back is his best position , in midfield he goes in and out of games. He’s more solid than Barrett.
Just as long as he doesn’t throw the baby out with the bath water. EOS was on the cusp of cracking it but his team lacked a bit of edge, not helped by injuries to the like if Mahony, Cahill, Stapleton etc. who add a bit of bite to the team. I would nearly prefer lose than sacrifice EOS’s hurling philosophy in favour of that sweeper system/ Donegal tactic that other teams are employing. Also if Michael Quinlivan can hurl he would be well worth a try.
That’s the worry Johnny, but I hope with the likes of bubbles, Callanan and Noel McGrath you have the bones of a hurling front 6 as opposed to a blunt battering ram. Galway even uppe’d the physicality stakes this year as well. Where’s it all going to end.. in puke football territory maybe? I like you still want to retain our nice brand of hurling identity if possible
Tipp need to find a few more players. No Denis Maher? The question you need to ask as a fan is how many of this squad would start on a Kilkenny first 15? 4-5 at a push, this is the bench mark for Tipp unfortunately.