Gavin Cummiskeyon how Babs Keating and Richie Bennis have prepared their charges for Limerick versus Tipperary - take three
Two astute hurling minds have been working overtime this week. There was an obvious question for Richie Bennis and Michael 'Babs' Keating - after 160 minutes of frenetic competition spread over two games, how does one prepare a panel of amateur players for a second replay a week later?
A dip in the pool and the traumatic ice bath experience are part of the initial process of soothing those aching muscles.
Thereafter, the approach diverges.
With some needing medical treatment, Keating disbanded his Tipperary charges until Wednesday.
Bennis took his lot for "fun training" on Monday night, with serious hurling not recommencing until last night.
Either way, the real physical exertions took place back when the nights were darker as the fitness levels of recent weeks have proved.
"We had a good chat on Monday night amongst ourselves," said Bennis. "They were very focused. Coming off 14 men (a reference to the early dismissal of Damien Reale in the initial draw) took its toll, more so than last Sunday. Ah, they're fine. It's to get them mentally right is the problem, but they are a brilliant bunch of lads. We've had no trouble with them."
This was an unprompted reference to the litany of mishaps Limerick hurling has experienced since the current crop claimed a third under-21 All-Ireland title in succession.
Naturally, we sought elaboration on this subject.
"I've been to all the matches before I was manager and I would hear about all the problems. We were in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. This year, since we got involved, we can't see where all the hassle was coming from. You know yourself, ye the media helps to exacerbate the process."
The players have matured?
"If something doesn't happen in the next two years we'll be looking for a new panel of players."
On Tuesday, Keating switched the emphasis off the continued exclusion of goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, and rumours of internal problems, by launching a damning critique of last Saturday's referee.
Still, he must be commended for changing the formula last week by selecting Séamus Butler and Lar Corbett either side of full forward Eoin Kelly. Both contributed significantly to the 1-12 to 0-5 half-time lead. The team released into the public domain has the minor alteration of Darragh Egan moving to centre forward with Benny Dunne on the wing.
Bennis believes his team counteracted the new-look Tipp in the second-half and a 1-14 to 0-7 scoreline supports such an assertion, with substitutes Michael Fitzgerald, James O'Brien and Kevin Tobin contributing 1-8, while moving Ollie Moran closer to the square caused chaos in the Tipp defence.
He admits the deck may require another shuffle.
"We'll try and counteract them again. It depends really on how they look at it because, in the second half, their tactics fell asunder. The formula at present is not winning it for us so we'll have to do something.
"The subs also contributed 1-7 the first day. If you start them and they play poor you've lost two men. There are about 25 of the 30 players pushing for the starting berths. That's the challenge."
Several expert voices believe the pendulum may now be swinging in Limerick's favour, what with the match back in the Gaelic Grounds and Tipperary twice surrendering winning positions.
"I wouldn't buy into that and neither would Tipperary. There is no such thing as a formula or it falling in favour of any team. We thought we had swung it in our favour in extra-time, but we missed a goal chance (Andrew O'Shaughnessy), but they missed their chances in the first half so either team could be talking the talk now."
Keating was less forthcoming on the issue of player recovery. And yet, the response seemed adequate: "Youth is a lovely thing."
