THE FUTURE
says Tuohy was “awesome” and the team originally coached by JP Cahillane, Paul Campion, Sean Cotter, Tommy Counihan and others were “fantastic.”
Lillis had them for three years at minor level.
“My biggest problem was keeping them out of the field,” he says. “They were brilliant.
“They were just a great group of guys. Zach was incredible.
“I have no doubt Zach could have made it as an international runner if he chose to go down that road. His running power was awesome.
“His pace plus his stamina was exceptional.
“If you look at the dimensions of the AFL pitches, the length of their game and the pace at which it’s played — the whole concept of 360-degree tackling — and how alert you have to be.
“He had the attributes to play that game. Of course he is a natural kicker of the ball and he has a tremendous pair of hands.
Specimen
“So, if you were looking for a specimen, he probably fits the criteria. He’d be a nine out of 10 in five or six categories of what you’d be looking for to make the grade in that game.”
Lillis says that crucially, Tuohy had the personality to go with his athleticism and skill.
His father, Noel — a local councillor — was involved in local musicals and pantomimes.
“His father would be a character as well,”said Lillis.
“He would be the comedian at those sorts of things over the years. Zach would have had a good grounding at home with his father and mother, Marie.
“There would have been a lot of quick-wittedness and banter around the house. I’d say he got it from there.
“When we won the five in a row — it had never been done in the county before — Noel wrote a song and brought out a CD. There was great banter for that.
“Zach is a great lad. Do you know what he had? I think this is huge. I’d say it was huge for him. He had a likability. He is quick-witted. People like him. He is good in the dressing room.
“He is a great people person.
I’d say all of those things factored in.
“If you went out to Australia and you were a shy guy it would make life very tough. He had lots of things going for him.
“You’d want to be able to hold your own.You’ve seen him in the media. He’s well able to banter and they like that with him.
Shy
“He’s never been shy saying in their own dressing room, ‘Come on the Town’ (Portlaoise GAA).
“He’d reference his love of club and county and home. It was always to the forefront of his mind. He is a great fella, a great ambassador for his county, his club, his family, his country and himself, of course.”