Tierney delighted with Rovers’ focus and preparation

By James Hayden

Shannon Rovers manager John Tierney cut an elated figure following his side’s North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship final victory over near neighbours Borrisokane on Saturday evening.

Arguably, the marginally better side throughout in what proved a thoroughly absorbing decider, the Rovers displayed a steely determination from start to finish and were not found wanting when the chips were well and truly down in the closing stages.

“You can’t anticipate how a game between two local neighbours is going to go but we always knew it was going to be terribly difficult,” he began.

“We came out of Nenagh last year a very humbled group after the beating we got by Moneygall in the North semi-final.

“Those lads showed their resilience in the county afterwards where we got as far as a county quarter-final and nearly won it.

“This year, the focus has been absolutely terrific from the beginning of the year under the guidance of Red (Conor O’Sullivan) and Jimmy (Dunne).

“They have prepared, they’re fit, they're trying, they're focused, and they really wanted to bring this back to the club, and I couldn't be more proud of a group of 26 lads for the effort they have put in. We saw the fruits of it there today where they brought it inside the white line and delivered.”

Regarding the extremely hot conditions, John said he felt his side coped very well with the 28 degree heat.

“It was an extremely hot evening, but again we finished out the match extremely well, which is testament to their preparation, focus and fitness,” John said.

Regarding the Rovers’ two-goal salvo in the third quarter, Tierney agreed that it gave his side breathing space at a crucial juncture but pointed out that there were a couple of close shaves.

“We missed a couple of goals; they missed a couple of goals. It was end to end stuff,” he continued.

“You know, we might meet again before the year is out and you wouldn't be taking anything for granted, because they are a great team, and we feel privileged to have beaten them to win our tenth North title.”

The Rovers supremo also agreed that his side prepared well for both their semi-final with Portroe and the decider against their local rivals.

“When you have prepared, 99% of confidence is preparation,” he revealed.

“Against Portroe, we finished well, and we finished well again today. We took it in four quarters, and we tried to focus on each of the quarters because of the water breaks and thankfully it kind of worked that way.

“We were against the wind in the first two quarters, but we went in ahead and the difference between going in ahead and not chasing the game is huge.”

The Shannon Rovers manager also agreed that the goals his side got served to settle his side and also that their North final victory will provide a nice launching pad for their county campaign.

“Those things settle a team, and we were settled,” he added.

“Of course, we made some mistakes and on an evening like this evening concentration is a challenge, but we felt we prepared well under Jimmy and Red and it showed out there today. We will take the week off now and come back Tuesday week hopefully refreshed and ready for more battles.”