A classy speech by a truly great leader

By Shane Brophy

One of the first interviews you like to get with the captain of a victorious team is that of the captain but Ronan Maher’s acceptance speech on the steps of the Hogan Stand was so good, it said everything that had to be said.

Here is it, word for word, after lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup aloft.

“Tá an áthas orm an corn Liam Mac Carthaigh ag gur son foireann Tiobraid Arainn.

“It is my great honour to accept this trophy on behalf of every single member of our panel, our management team, our backroom team, our families, our clubs, and the people of Tipperary.

“Firstly, I want to salute Pat Ryan and the Cork team. Both of us shared something that was bigger than just a match. We are part of the biggest day in our great sport and that is something truly special. Great teams bring out the best in others and you did that today. Congratulations on a great year, league champions, Munster champions, your day is close and thank you for your sportsmanship.

“I also want to thank Liam Gordon and his matchday officials for a job well done.

“To the Croke Park staff and officials, thanks very much, the field was in great condition.

“To Tipperary…to the 40 players on our panel, thank you. You honesty, endeavour, commitment to each other is what made this possible. This was not just won by the players on the field today, it was won by 40 teammates who never let the standards drop.

“To one player who is no longer with us but is so much a part of what we are, Dillon Quirke (prolonged applause). We carried your spirit with us every step of the way. You were in the dressing room and on the field of play. You were in our hearts, and we hope we did you and your family proud today.

“A big thank you to our county board, the Tipperary Supporters Club, our main sponsors Fiserv, and all our individual sponsors, all of whom have helped and supported us in every way possible.

“To our clubs, schools, colleges, and previous management teams, we will always appreciate the guidance, support, and courage you always gave us, and which is hugely important in making today possible.

“To our families, partners, wives, girlfriends, and close friends, thank you for always being there for us, through the good days and the not so good days, this day belongs to you too.

“To our backroom team, our masseurs Mick Clohessy and Darren Cody, our medical team of Brendan Murphy, Paddy O’Brien, and Sarah Cuddy, our kit-men John Durnin and Seamie Butler, our dietician Amy Maguire, our stats team of Paul O’Brien, Damien Young and Finn Briody, our mindset coach Cathal Sheridan, our liaison officers John Smyth and Michael Bourke, our S&C coach Angelo Walsh, our goalkeeping coach Shane Hennessy, and our management team, selectors TJ Ryan and Declan Laffan.

“Two of the great coaches that have put so much into this team, Michael Bevans and David Herity, thank you.

“Our leader, a man who is full of passion and honesty, who held us together when things were tough and lifted us when we needed belief best, the man from Ballingarry, our manager Liam Cahill.

“Finally, to our supporters near and far, those that are lucky enough to be here today, those that are back home in Tipperary, our diaspora across the world, today, we stand at the summit of a long hard road, a journey paved with sacrifice and spirit, wherever you are, you are never far from our hearts. This is a win for the people, for a place, for all of us. Enjoy the moment. Liam MacCarthy is coming home. We’ll see ye tomorrow night in Thurles.

“Tiobraid Arann abu!”