HURLING ROUND-UP:TIPPERARY SENIOR hurling manager Declan Ryan has received a much-needed boost with the news that combative wing forward Patrick "Bonner" Maher will return to light training this week.
Maher missed the entire national league campaign having sustained a serious knee injury against Cork in the Munster Cup semi-final on February 12th.
It was originally feared Maher (22) had sustained cruciate knee ligament damage but early scans ruled that out.
Instead, 2010 All-Ireland SHC medallist Maher was prescribed a period of total rest to heal what was diagnosed as a cartilage problem – but has now been given the go-ahead to resume light training.
Maher may now be an option for the county’s opening defence of their Munster SHC quarter-final against Limerick on May 27th but after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines, team medics and management will take no risks with the player’s fitness.
A source in the county revealed: “He’ll be back to light work from tomorrow (Tuesday). It all depends on how Patrick progresses after that. He hasn’t done anything in a long time. Hopefully he will be fit for the championship but it’s too early to say.”
Following last Sunday’s Division One semi-final defeat to Cork, manager Ryan will look to keep his side ticking over by lining up challenge matches prior to the Limerick clash.
It is understood Tipperary are trying to arrange a fixture on May 6th – with Dublin mentioned as likely opponents. Clare are also potential opposition as the county look to put the Cork defeat behind them and look ahead to the Limerick encounter.
For opponents Cork, who await the winners of the Tipp-Limerick match, the immediate future is more upbeat.
Manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy achieved one target in reaching the league final, where they’ll face All-Ireland champions Kilkenny, and another in blooding some impressive new talent during the campaign.
Most interest has focused on young Conor Lehane, just a year out of school but already into his second year of involvement with the seniors and blazing a trail through the league as a wing forward with remarkable ability under dropping ball and an acquisitive eye for scores.
During the regulation matches in Division One A Lehane averaged four points from play per match.
Rested on Sunday because of college exam commitments at UCC, whom he helped to a third successive freshers title this year, Lehane was introduced from the bench for the final 10 minutes and managed to help himself to two points, including from a Brendan Cummins puck-out he plucked from the sky as soon as he arrived on the field.
“It’s been very good,” he says about the season to date. “I’ve been very fortunate with the players that are around me as well. I’m very happy with the way the team’s going as well. Our aim was to get to the final and thankfully we got there today.”
The regulation match with Kilkenny ended in a thrilling win for Cork and Lehane looks forward to the rematch in just under a fortnight.
“It should be a great final if it’s anything like the last day down in the Páirc. Hopefully, it’ll be just as good and intense.
“They’re so physical and they read the play so well, that’s why it’s so difficult to play against them. If we can fight against that, hopefully we can get a few scores on the board.”
