Brendan Maher of Tipperary poses for a portrait with the Liam MacCarthy Cup during the GAA Hurling All Ireland Senior Championship Series National Launch at King's John's Castle in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Brendan Maher is just glad to be hurling again

 

What difference twelve months can make to a team and a player,” - the words uttered by RTE's Ger Canning when commentating on Benny Dunne's late point in the 2010 All Ireland final win over Kilkenny, a year after the Tipperary player was sent off against the same opposition in the decider.

Well the same wording could be attributed this year to the Tipperary team on their championship turnaround from a disappointing 2018, and for Brendan Maher whose serious knee injury picked up in the final game against Clare book-ended a disappointing campaign for the Premier County.

I suppose this time last year I was looking on, the whole team was looking on, but my leg was in a brace and I didn't know what the future was going to hold in terms of hurling,” he said at the launch of the All Ireland Series this week.

You'd have all sorts going through your head, but definitely twelve months on it is a great position to be in. Obviously there was disappointment in Munster, but you just try to draw a line under that. You have lots to look forward to, you are in an All Ireland quarter-final, 70 minutes away from a semi-final, it is a great position to be in.”

 

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