Sheedy delighted but not fooled

TRICKY ENOUGH business yesterday, being Liam Sheedy.

When you run your fingers over the scars left from being beaten in last year’s semi-final, you know in your heart yesterday any sort of win would have been welcome. Anything but that uniquely searing pain of a semi-final defeat.

So you don’t want to appear churlish or ungrateful, but this 24-point victory which Limerick have just handed you. It’s not much good to man or beast, is it.

It’s the sort of win which might carry the seeds of your own destruction. All you can do is continue to remember last year. Avoid this strange comfort zone which Limerick have offered you.

“There was a lot of hurt in that dressingroom last year,” says Sheedy. “Seventeenth of August wasn’t in any way a nice day, but we have waited a year to come back and redeem ourselves and we are just delighted to get to an All-Ireland final.”

Delighted but not fooled into thinking this was the sort of test of character which a team returning to the big dance for the first time in eight years really needed.

“You are around a long time. Anyone that watches sport knows that just wasn’t Limerick today. I feel for Justin and the lads. It has happened me a few times: it just doesn’t happen. One of those days. There are big guys in that dressingroom. Great characters in that dressingroom. I feel for them.

“The three goals in the first half gave us a platform. The first goal we got, Stephen was very unlucky, the ball just broke in behind him.

“The goals gave us a platform to build on and Limerick just had one of those days when it just wouldn’t go between the posts for them. They had a chance to get back in the game in the second half but we pushed on, got some nice scores. It was all about qualifying for a final.”

In that sense job done. But the Munster final is a long way back in the rear mirror. The intensity of training was ratcheted up accordingly. But a white-knuckle ride for 50 or 60 minutes would have told Liam Sheedy a thing or two. As it is, he is analysing dreams and unrealities.

“I thought we rushed things, our touch wasn’t as good as in Munster. Definitely some of our overall play was very good. Last goal was worked in from the sideline with three passes. That type of play is always good to see.”

And he gathers his two daughters waiting in the wings and wanders back into the belly of Croke Park.

Lar Corbett remains. Reclining and waiting. Three second-half goals having sated him after eight years waiting to get back to Croke Park. He takes the theme.

“After the Munster final the training was upped five or 10 per cent. Limerick will be disappointed today. Frustrated with themselves. Any time I have played them it wasn’t like that. Never.

“You look at the two teams compared to two years ago. Tipp have had a few young fellas come in. Different-looking sides.

“We are under no illusions that work-rate today won’t win an All-Ireland. Kilkenny are doing it year in and year out. We have to up it again.”

So it went. Talking about men who weren’t there. Limerick who didn’t turn up. Kilkenny who watched with the remote control in one hand and ash wands in the other.

“We gave them (Kilkenny) a run for their money in the league final and it made up a bit for the 17-point hammering they gave us in the league in Nowlan Park. I think we are stronger since then. I’m looking forward now to three weeks’ time.”

Tick tick tick.