Exit in sight for Toom raider

Munster Club SHC final: The eldest of the Dunne brothers is hoping to bow out in All-Ireland glory, writes Seán Moran

Tomorrow in Limerick's Gaelic Grounds, barring a draw in the AIB Munster club hurling final, the curtain will come down on a legendary career. Brian Corcoran of Erin's Own and Cork has been in the news since his intercounty retirement, but another great and versatile hurler is looking at a lower-key finale.

That's possibly because Toomevara's Tommy Dunne stepped down from the Tipperary panel a year ago but also because even at his considerable best as a hurler, there was something understated about the eldest of the five Dunne brothers, who will be bidding for a second provincial title in three years.

"It wouldn't be possible," says club PRO Tom Shanahan, "to write in a newspaper column the contribution to Toomevara made by the Dunne family and Tommy. He's a huge motivator and an example to every young person in the parish."

On the county scene Tommy Dunne was unlucky in his timing. As a teenager he came in as Babs Keating's great team of the 1980s and early 1990s was packing up, and although he became the centrepiece of the next side from the county to win the Liam MacCarthy, captain and Hurler of the Year in 2001, that achievement didn't lead to the anticipated sustained spell at the top of the game.

With the club, however, the timing was better. The county's largest parish, a few miles from Nenagh, Toomevara has a distinguished tradition in hurling. Founded a year after the GAA, in 1885, the club have had very good periods and very quiet ones. Tommy Dunne came into the team in time to play with his father Tony and be on the first Toomevara team to win the county title in nearly 30 years.

"I played with my dad and my uncles in 1991 when we won the North divisional title. Terry was there in 1991 and 92 before Ken and Barry and Benny came along. It's great so many of us have been involved. We're close even if we often fight among ourselves - as usual with brothers - but it's a nice buzz."

Since 1992 the club have won 10 of the 15 titles but the most nagging question raised by such a record is why it hasn't been the platform for further success.

"Everybody asks that," he says with a hint of weariness: "why haven't we won more Munsters, an All-Ireland? That's why the win in '04 was so important. We broke our duck for the first time since 1993, which was a fair stretch. The current position is very pleasing, to be in with a chance of making it two provincial titles in three years, which would be a little more impressive."

Two years ago they lost the All-Ireland semi-final to Athenry, but Dunne feels that as a team, Toomevara are improving, particularly in coming to terms with the frequent gales that attend club matches and were seen in all of their ferocity during the semi-final two weeks ago against Mount Sion.

"You can evolve your challenge," he says. "We're a lot more mature and playing a bit smarter, learning to play the conditions even though they mightn't suit us.

"Down the years there's no way Toomevara would have been able to cope with a game like that, at least not since the 90s when we were bigger and more experienced. Later teams didn't have the physical - or the mental - strength.

"You can never say for definite that you're going to win but we were better-prepared for it against Mount Sion, ready to go out and enjoy it, embrace it."

Toomevara have almost invariably appointed managers from outside the county: Pad Joe Whelahan, Seán Stack, Tom Ryan, Seán Hehir - to name some of them. Former Limerick hurler Pat Herbert is the latest and remembers feeling ambivalent about the approach from North Tipp.

"I didn't know any of the players. It was my first introduction to the Dunnes and Tommy. When I was a bit uncertain about the position and what it would involve, three trips a week, Tommy Dunne persuaded me to take it."

Dunne had been on the verge of walking away but freed from county obligations, he decided to give the club one last season. But the mere thought of him out on a field again left his county intentions unburied for some, and newly appointed Tipperary manager Babs Keating tried his considerable powers of persuasion.

"The main reason he's playing this year is that he opted out of county," says Herbert. "He was only back two weeks playing and Babs was on to him. But sense prevailed."

In recent years Tommy Dunne's health had been a problem from the time he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. He feels better now and partly attributes the relative wellbeing to having scaled back his hurling commitments.

"It's been easier since retiring from the county side, less scrutiny from media and hurling people. I didn't enjoy the last couple of years with Tipp because I wasn't playing well and not reaching the standards that I'd set for myself.

"It's very enjoyable to be still playing when your county career is finished. I'm grateful to play with a club like Toomevara that have given me the chance to play at such a high level. It's satisfying but demanding."

In another county, less might have been asked of him, but long after the peaks of 2001, he was still being asked to toil in the foothills, his versatility (he has played all but one line of the field for Tipperary in the championship - his brother Benny has done the lot) conjuring up solutions to every problem on the pitch.

As he glides in the general direction of the stage exit, Tommy Dunne is still performing. His game came together gradually and in the storm-tossed semi-final he was there with a characteristic point flicked out of the blue from a tight angle and a wristy clip into the square for John O'Brien's crucial goal.

Last night Toomevara officially launched ambitious plans for the redevelopment of their grounds, intended to include better facilities for players and referees as well as an indoor hurling alley. It's part of the club's renewed attempt to ensure the sort of juvenile assembly line that has fed their domination at senior level, a process under threat because of unusual demographics.

"Unlike nearly every other town or village in Ireland," says Tom Shanahan, "Toomevara's population has declined. That means we've had to work harder than ever because in recent years the juvenile section has taken a step backwards, as school numbers have gone down."

There are, however, finally some proposed housing developments on the horizon, and Toomevara wants to incorporate its new neighbours into the traditions of the parish. In this enterprise they'll be glad of the input of their most famous son of the modern era.

"He's a great ambassador for sport and for Toomevara," says Shanahan. "He has a great way with kids and goes to watch the underage teams.

"Whenever the club wins something he's available to take it around the schools. There was even a sick kid who was upset at not being able to see the trophy in school and Tommy brought it up to his family home."

There could be another trophy doing the rounds in the weeks ahead depending on the outcome of tomorrow's Munster final. But success will only defer the final bow. "This could be the last day at the office," says Dunne. "At the end of this campaign I'm hanging up my boots."

Tommy Dunne's career could end tomorrow afternoon or push on into the spring optimism of the All-Ireland series. Either way he has enough done.

Benny, 26

Made his county debut in 2002, scoring 2-2 from play in his first start in that season's Munster final against Waterford. Versatile, but mainly a defender, he is a current county panellist. Plays centre back.

Tommy, 33

Retired from intercounty hurling last year after 13 seasons. Played everywhere from the half backs up. Captained Tipp to 2001 All-Ireland when he was Hurler of the Year. Plays wing forward or full forward.

Barry, 27

Not a regular in the starting line-up, but gets frequent game-time. Has come into the defence at various stages of what has been an injury-troubled season for the club. Plays corner back.

Ken, 29

Tipperary panellist in 2002 when injury ruled him out of a probable championship debut against Kilkenny. Current inter-county player and played in last summer's championship. Plays centrefield.

Terry, 31

One of only three players - with Tony Delaney and Tommy - to have won all 10 county medals since 1992. Played NHL for county and won 2001 All-Ireland medal. Operating at wing back.