Wednesday July 27
Bord Gais Energy Munster Under 21 Hurling Final
Waterford v Tipperary, Walsh Park, 7pm
By Cian O'Connell
Crucial contests are arriving thick and fast for Ronan Maher, but the immensely promising Thurles Sarsfields youngster is delighted to embrace every challenge.
Maher, who won his second Munster senior this month, is an influential figure for a Tipperary under 21 outfit who hope to spring a surprise at Walsh Park this evening.
A star studded Waterford side, packed with established inter-county names, provide stern opposition, but Maher was thrilled with how Tipp coped against Limerick.
“I suppose we were concentrating on Limerick after the game they had with Cork,” Maher commented.
“In the last few years they got a run on us at minor and under 21. They've huge teams coming up so we just went out with a huge work rate.
“We were really hungry for that game and since we've had two weeks to concentrate on Waterford. The thing is we just have to bring that hunger and work rate.”
Maher is encouraged by the ‘good balance’ in the Tipperary set-up stressing how relevant the Munster Intermediate Championship was for the majority of the panel.
“A lot of guys would have played with each other throughout the year for the intermediate team and they've all got plenty of games. A few of the seniors are coming back in and we have all glued together well.
“We've all played together on the way up, but we are no All Star team. We know that. We are priding ourselves on huge work rate and passion. We are very hungry for silverware, hopefully we can gain some momentum for the rest of the year.
“This team didn't have much success in the last few years. We are driving on with a huge hunger at the minute, we are looking for a bit of silverware on Wednesday night.”
While the vast majority of his senior colleagues are coping with a five week break between Championship games Maher is excited to be involved in a lively race for under 21 honours.
“In one way it keeps you occupied with games. We all just want games at this stage. Thankfully we are getting a good few.”