Mullinahone.net

Tipperary talisman Eoin Kelly says the Premier County’s renaissance this season is down to an increased work ethic under new manager Liam Sheedy.

Last year, under former manager Michael ‘Babs’ Keating, the accusation was levelled at Tippearary that they were not fit enough after late capitulations saw them twice throw away big leads against Limerick in the Munster Championship.

Kelly was alleged to have endured a difficult relationship with Keating, who suggested at one point last year that the prolific free-taker was in poor condition during the championship.

However, the Mullinahone clubman has turned the tables on his former boss, suggesting that Tipperary had failed to meet the standards set by Cork and Kilkenny in terms of fitness and physicality.

"That's the nature of the team this year,” Kelly said. “It was the first couple of words that were used when the management came in. He [Liam Sheedy] said he wanted number one to number 30 working together in training and carrying that onto the field.

“So far in every game I think that has been the key. Especially in the league final when Galway got the couple of scores back we were able to fight on to the bitter end and get the couple of scores to get ahead.

"I think the difference from Tipperary of the last couple of years - we had to find that extra bit.

“Kilkenny had that in abundance. Waterford found that work ethic and Cork had it in abundance. Those three teams had the bar raised to that level the last three or four years.

"If the likes of ourselves and Galway didn't get up to that we were going to get left behind.

"Thankfully so far so good we have gotten up to that level of work ethic. It is crucial in any sport, never mind hurling.”

Asked if Tipperary had shown the same work ethic last season, Kelly said: "No we didn't. We didn't the last couple of years. We faded out of a few big games when it was nip and tuck.

"That added to the small bit of luck that we have had so far got us over the line.”

Work ethic the key for Tipp - Kelly
by Brian Murphy, 12 May 2008 www.setantasports.com

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