Previous semi-final defeats won’t inhibit Tipp - Heffernan

By Joe Scully

It was a very happy James Heffernan in the aftermath of Tipperary’s victory over Clare in the quarter-final of the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship at Croke Park on Sunday, a victory which sets up a semi-final with old foes Cork in three weeks’ time.

“Delighted to get the win,” began the Clonoulty/Rossmore clubman.

“We probably didn’t put in a sixty-minute performance again but being down at pitch side it was really hot humid conditions, and it was hard to keep the same intensity and energy levels going all game.

“We started really well, which was so important, and also in the second half we started brilliantly and had the game put to bed with about fifteen minutes to play so very happy.”

The first year manager was also delighted with how his side reacted off the back of a very disappointing result and performance against Galway just seven days earlier, and with how the players themselves took ownership of the situation.

“We met up on Monday night, and got it out of our system,” he revealed.

“Then we went back training Tuesday and that was really good as we weren’t talking about the Galway game at that stage.

“The players really did drive it over the last week and look there’s a lot of experience in that dressing room so would except nothing less.

“It was tough after the Galway game no doubt, we didn’t look to go out and lose all three games in the group. We wanted to get to the semi-finals but ended up a good bit off in the end, but we got there in the end and now have three weeks to prepare for a semi-final so overall we’re in a good position.”

One downside to Sunday’s game was the serious knee injury sustained by centre-back Caoimhe Maher, but for Heffernan, while admitting losing a player of huge experience and leadership, admits it’s a chance for someone else to step up and stake a claim for her place and was very happy with the impact her replacement Clodagh Quirke had on the game.

“Caoimhe has been in excellent form, she came into the team because of injury at the start of the Munster championship and I feel this year she has been back to her best, and will be a big loss,” Heffernan continued.

“But, we have a panel of 35 players, and there will be girls queuing up to get in the team and take her place.

“Clodagh was excellent, she is a very experienced and quality defender and is brilliant at reading the game. Clare played with only five forwards for a lot of the game, and Clodagh was the spare player, and there’s no one better to read the game she’s top class.”

Next up on July 25th at FBD Semple Stadium is Tipperary’s ninth All-Ireland semi-final in ten years and having lost all the previous eight, they will be hoping that this is the year they finally make a first final since 2006. However, for Heffernan he feels it’s not as mental problem and thinks it will be just like another game for his side.

“That’s been mentioned to me a few times now, but I don’t know about that,” he said.

“To me, it’s just another game, when you’re in the match you’re not thinking of any previous games or semi-finals, you’re just focused on the ball and your opponent.

“To me it’s not an issue, we are probably losing the semi-finals more down to the quality of the opposition, with the likes of Cork, Galway, Kilkenny and Waterford, rather than it been a mental issue.”