‘Class act TJ pushed himself to be best’
WHEN asked to explain the longevity and quality of performance of TJ Reid, who has turned 35 since being shortlisted last year for the Hurler of the Year award, Joey Holden says he is simply the full package. ‘He has such a hurling brain, he can get into positions and he’s so strong in the air. Off the field, he looks after himself so well. He knows how his body runs at this stage. And maybe that’s the key to it, that he’s more in tune with his body in terms of he knows exactly what he needs and when he needs it and he does that meticulously to help him perform at his best. ‘I suppose lots of lads are looking after their bodies as well and still don’t have the quality that he has. He uses that experience to make him the best player.’ For someone who was on the verge of quitting the county squad a decade ago in frustration at a lack of game time, it’s a remarkable evolution. ‘It’s something that he turned into, I think the gym work made him a different player as well, it gave him that kind of focus and strength,’ says Holden. ‘Because he’s so strong now as well as everything else and that maybe pushed him on to a different level. He put on some size. ‘It’s hard to think he would have walked away and we wouldn’t be seeing the player that we’re seeing now. It’s just when you look back at his career, it’s outrageous. It’s unbelievable. ‘I love watching the videos that come up of him — it’s crazy to think when you’re comparing Henry and TJ as some of the best hurlers of all time and they’re from the same club. It takes about 30 seconds to drive up to both of their houses, it’s remarkable really.’ And Holden reveals that arguments rage locally as to who is better. ‘I’d say they are definitely arguments that people have. I’d say it’s a tough decision for a lot of people. You’re trying to split small margins, you could make a case for both players, and serious cases for both players. It’s a tough call.’