O’Meara aiming for March return

By Shane Brophy

Tipperary senior hurling Niall O’Meara is targeting a return to action before the end of the National League after sustained a groin injury in training.

The Kilruane MacDonaghs clubman, who opted off the panel in 2022, hasn’t featured so far in the campaign after returning late to training after injury in the Munster club quarter final against Ballygunner in November, but revealed this injury is not related to that.

“When I pulled it I knew it was going to be bad,” he said.

“It felt weak with no power but thankfully it appears it will be a 6-7 weeks out but if I can stay on top of it, it might be quicker so that is the aim which will get me up to around St Patrick’s weekend which is my target.

“With rehab you get progress and set-backs and I just hope to stay on the right side of it and go from there. I will be running next week so hurling will hopefully follow after that.”

The timing of this new injury is frustrating as there is such a strong competition for places, particularly in O’Meara’s positions between half back and the half forward lines, with Niall unable to put his best foot forward.

“In fairness, training has been very good and competitive which is great to see,” he said.

“There are new faces in there, with fresh ideas. Everyone is pushing hard and from the first two games of the league, Tipp are on a roll at the moment, and it is great to be part of it. The competition has been good and getting back into it is the main aim.”

O’Meara was speaking after being presented with the Nenagh Guardian North Tipperary Hurler of the Year Award last Friday for his performances in helping his club win their first county senior hurling title in 37 years.

“It was a brilliant year for Kilruane,” he added.

“I am delighted on behalf of the group, Liam O’Kelly and the lads. It was a super year, I really enjoyed my hurling, obviously got a bit of a break and was probably a bit fresher than some lads."