FOR THE FIRST time since last September’s All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny, Lar Corbett pulled on a Tipperary jersey for a competitive outing in yesterday afternoon’s Munster senior hurling semi-final.
The massive cheer that erupted from the Premier county supporters when the Thurles Sarsfields man was introduced just before half-time in Páirc Uí Chaoimh illustrated the status that the attacker enjoys.
And the man himself was delighted to be back involved with a team that displayed great character to dig out a narrow 1-22 to 0-24 victory over Cork.
“We were under pressure against Limerick and we were under pressure again today. I think that builds character. We have shown over the last couple of years that we have character and it is slowly but surely coming out of us. I really believe that there is a good panel of lads there – there’s lads to come off the bench and there’s lads to start, so we’re looking forward to the Munster final.”
That provincial decider will see Tipperary renew acquaintances with Waterford, a team they inflicted serious pain on in last year’s final. Corbett smashed home four goals in that tie last July as himself and his forward colleagues ripped apart the Déise defence. But he is adamant that complacency will not enter the equation in Tipperary’s preparations for that clash.
“We stood here last year after the Munster final here last year and we said that there’s is a big hole to fall into and get carried away with ourselves. The Munster final, I’m not too sure where it’s on yet, but I’m really looking forward to it. We can’t get complacent. It’s back down to it again now. There is going to be pressure for places in Thurles on Tuesday and Thursday nights. None of us will get complacent because there is someone on your back waiting for your spot.”
Corbett opted out of the Tipperary setup earlier this year with his withdrawal fueling rumors that there was unrest in the squad. But the forward points to their latest success as further evidence of the bond that exists in their panel.
“We can talk about in training and we can talk about it in the dressing room. Are we good enough? I think you have to prove that on the field and I think today John was unlucky today to get sent off, but the character of the boys came out there. They proved it down in Cork against Cork, going down to 14 men. It just goes to show the character of the team and I am delighted to be part of it.”
