Heffernan lauds grit in winning first silverware as manager
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A happy Tipperary manager James HeffernanImage 2 of 2
Tipperary - Munster Senior Camogie champions. Back row: Mary Burke, Lucy Purcell, Caoimhe Stakelum, Danielle Ryan, Danielle Butler, Sarah Corcoran, Ellen Cunneen, Celine Guinan, Eimear Heffernan, Karin Blair, Caoimhe Maher, Emma Carey, Clodagh Quirke, Casey Hennessy, Eimear McGrath, Aoife McGrath, Karen Kennedy, Aoife Dwyer, Isobel O’Donnell, Áine Slattery. Front row: Nicole Walsh, Niamh Treacy, Kate Ralph, Paula Quirke, Niamh Cunneen, Eimear Loughman, Jean Kelly, Laura Loughnane, Mairead Eviston, Caoimhe McCarthy (Captain), Amy Quinlisk, Roisin Howard, Grace O’Brien, Clodagh McIntyre. PicasaBy Joe Scully
For Tipperary senior camogie manager James Heffernan, it was very much a case of job done and pure delight as his side clinched the Munster title with a three-point win over Waterford in FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday.
“It was some battle in the second half, not sure if it was all that pretty on the eye but we don’t really care about that as we got the result we wanted at the end of the day,” said the first year manager.
“In fairness to Waterford, they probably left a few scores behind them in the second half, but I thought we battled really well.
“The goal was a big score for us, but I thought we held onto the three- or four-point lead really well after that and the girls deserve the victory.”
The Clonoulty/Rossmore clubman was also delighted with his side’s performance and the progress they have been making as the year has gone on.
“It was a great team performance and it’s always a team effort, all five subs who came on made a difference, which is really important,” he added.
“Our backs did well the whole match, we just needed a bit more out of our half forward line in the second half and we got that. There was a bit more shape and they were an outlet for our backs coming out with the ball so happy enough with how we went in the second half.
“The game was a level up psychically, it was probably All-Ireland championship pace, so it was very important to come out on the right side.
“We definitely used the ball well, we’re trying to work on getting the players to support the player on the ball and I thought we did that well.”
Next up for Tipp is a rematch with Waterford in the group stage of the All-Ireland Championship early next month, and for Heffernan he is very happy with the depth of squad at his disposal going into what will be a very challenging task.
“We have been really lucky with injuries, we only have the one long term injury with Isobel (O’Donnell) and we had everyone else available to us,” he revealed.
“There will be girls disappointed not to get a run out, so we do have a good squad like all the top teams and we are going to need that going into the All-Ireland.
“That will be the main challenge this year, and this today will be forgotten bout in a couple of weeks.
“It’s going to be a tough battle, we have a hard draw, away to Waterford, home to Cork and then away to Galway. You probably need at least two wins from them to make the top two in the group, which will be a tough ask, but for now we just need to focus on the Waterford game in three weeks.”