EOIN KELLY BELIEVES John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer is the most skilful hurler he has ever came across.
Kelly who retired from intercounty hurling last year following the Premier County’s All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny, thinks O’Dwyer has a skillset beyond anything he’s ever seen before.
Ahead of Tipperary’s clash with Limerick in this weekend’s Munster semi-final, Kelly was quick to talk up the talent of his former intercounty colleague.
“The skill levels of Bubbles I’ve never seen anyway. I remember inside in training last year, we were kind of sprinting down the pitch in fours, you’d to strike the ball across, typical Eamonn O’Shea training,” he said.
“I remember I hit the ball behind Bubbles, when you hit it, you’re saying ‘Jaysus, that’s a bad shot’. But he put the hand out like that (behind his back for those that didn’t see the demonstration) full title, snapped it like that. I remember saying to myself, ‘Jesus, do you know what I mean’.”
He’s a pair of wrists bigger than any of our legs. That’s where the power comes from. I think he’s an exception.
Tipperary may be missing O’Dwyer for their showdown with the Treaty however, as the 23-year-old is struggling with an ankle injury and may play no part in the game at all.
Kelly knows that the loss of the Killenaule forward would hurt Tipperary, but also take a considerable amount of glamour from the game.
“Even talking to lads from the other counties, one lad said to me ‘Is Bubbles injured?’. I said ‘I don’t know’, he said ‘I’m not watching it if he’s not playing’. He has that appeal to lads, he’s so skilful.”
“When you see him in full flight, he’s unbelievable. I hope he’s playing Sunday.”
The Mullinahone club-man thinks that O’Dwyer is another player that belongs to the new generation of hurlers who have no fear. He’s also aware that Limerick will target the likes of him and Seamus Callanan for extra attention on Sunday.
“Cool as a breeze yeah. No different to Cian Lynch and them, they’re young. They don’t give a damn really,” said Kelly when asked about O’Dwyer’s mentality.
“I just hope he’s not tied up this weekend because he’ll get a bit of attention, that’s what Limerick have, they have guys to mark guys.”
“Seamus Hickey and Tom Condon can do a man marking job, there’s maybe the likes of Seamus Callanan, Bonner or Bubbles tied up. Two good man markers.”
“It’s probably a game of tactics. You want to free up the likes of Callanan or Bubbles if you can. That’s why if they’re not having any luck inside, I’d bring Seamie Callanan or Bubbles to the half forward line.”