‘We’ll have to be at our best’

IF it boiled down to it, Tommy Carroll would gladly accept a replay over a defeat as his Bray Emmets side lock horns with Glenealy on Sunday.

That would disrupt the Tipperary man’s plans though, as next week he is scheduled to be honoured at the Tipperary Senior championship final alongside his former team-mates for the 25th anniversary of his then-side’s own three-in-a-row.

Emmets have the chance to eclipse their manager’s accomplishments on Sunday and Carroll is backing his troops to do so.

He joined the club in odd fashion – new managers are normally ushered in when the previous one’s tenure has ran stale or completely derailed. Carroll though travelled to the Garden County to take up the reins of an-all dominating side.

“It’s been an experience. The way the fixtures are laid out made it a bit difficult. It’s my first time being involved where there are dual players so that’s been difficult but we’ve managed as best we can and we’re in a county final now so that’s what counts.

“It is difficult but you don’t need to change the whole thing, you just make a few minor changes but we’ve lost a few players as well. We’ve had injuries throughout the year as well so it’s been a bit up and down. The Pat’s defeat really focussed us again. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise because training has really upped since then and you realise that just because you might be county champions, you’re still going to have to work for the next one. Thankfully the guys have got down to it in the last couple of weeks and they got over a very tough semi-final and they’re rearing to go now for the final.”

Watching from the sidelines as your side teeter on the brink of a semi-final exit does not make for pleasant viewing but Carroll is hoping that the adage that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger will ring true. As for the weight of expectation owing to previous successes, Carroll is only concerned with the here and now.

“It was very difficult but you just have to trust the guys. They’ve been there before – they’re not the county champions for the last three years for nothing. They worked extremely hard even when things were going against them and the most positive thing about the second day with Pat’s was that the fight was back in us. I felt that on the first day we didn’t put up enough fight. The second day, we did and that was very pleasing to see.

“We had two very good games against Pat’s. The first day didn’t go our way but the second day was a real tough game and we hung in there.

“It showed a few issues that we have as well. I don’t think that semi-final performance will be good enough to win a county championship. Just from the bit I’ve seen of Glenealy, they’re a lovely hurling team and they use the ball very well so we’re really going to have to be on the ball to win.”

“It’s my first time and I’ve come into a very good set-up and the most important thing or us is 2017. What’s gone before means nothing come next Sunday. We just have to be really ready for this because we’ve a tough task ahead of us but 2017 is all that matters.”

A man of Carroll’s experience knows that anything can happen on any given day so he won’t be concerned with who the neutrals are tipping and he has confidence that captain Luke Maloney can be his commander on the field.

“Would we be favourites? I’m not sure. Glenealy gave us a bit of trimming early on in the year. We didn’t see the game yesterday but from playing Greystones, who have a very, very good backline, Glenealy managed to score 3-17 against them so it’s a big ask. I’d say it’s 50-50. This Glenealy team is very strong and we’re going to have to be at our best to beat them.

“We considered a few people but I think Luke definitely deserved it this year. In the semi-final, Luke might not be the biggest talker but he delivered on the field as a captain. That was the most important thing for us. There are a lot of leaders there over the years and I think throughout the game they’ll come to the fore.”

The plan for the week will be business as usual. If Luke Maloney is standing triumphantly on Sunday, many will see that as business as usual. Carroll is confident in his men and he has every reason to be. He has been surprised by the skill levels in the Garden County. He’ll be hoping not to be surprised on Sunday evening.

“Nothing special planned. We’ll go at it on Monday and possibly Thursday but it’s getting mentally focussed now and ensuring that we have all the bits and pieces sorted.

“We have to trust in our team to do the job and whatever team they send out, we’ll have confidence.

“I think in Wicklow I’ve been very surprised by the skill levels. I thought the Pat’s game the last day had some real good honest hurling in it and I think there’s a lot of talent in Wicklow and in this Bray team. Glenealy have a lot of good players as well so it’ll be a good game.”