TIPPERARY DEFENDER PÁDRAIC Maher is facing up to a month on the sidelines after he was injured in last Sunday’s senior hurling final victory over Waterford.
Teammate Kieran Bergin revealed the news at Dicksboro GAA club in Kilkenny yesterday, where he was present for the launch of the All-Ireland championship series.
Maher damaged the AC joint in his left shoulder against the Déise but that didn’t stop the Thurles Sarsfields man exerting a huge influence on proceedings as he made 20 plays over the 70 minutes.
Maher’s injury now leaves him facing a race to be fully fit for Tipp’s All-Ireland semi-final against Cork or Galway on August 16.
“I think it’s three weeks definitely,” Bergin revealed.
“It all really depends on the scan. Hopefully, he’ll be able to get back for us because he’s been a key player for us.
“He’s like a Dyson hoover there, he mops up so much ball.
“Without him, we would be in a bit of trouble and it would probably mean my workload would have to increase!”
Bergin also revealed that Noel McGrath is making steady progress after rejoining the squad following surgery on testicular cancer.
McGrath returned to club action earlier this month and was fit enough to participate in Sunday’s pre-match warm up.
“I think he’s frustrated with himself,” said 29-year-old Bergin.
“He thought he would have been back.
“I spoke to him a few months ago after he done the chemo and he said he thought he would be back for the Munster final.
“He thought he would be back two weeks before so he would have been eligible to play.
“He’s doing a bit of training with us but not at the same level.
“He’s slowly building it back up with the help of the physios and the physical trainer.”
Meanwhile, Bergin has confirmed that winning silverware for boss Eamon O’Shea was central to his motivation before the Munster final.
In his third and final season at the helm, O’Shea collected his first trophy at the weekend and Bergin believes that the manager absorbed a hefty amount of criticism over the previous two years.
“Even last year when we were going terrible during the league and a relegation battle was possible, he took everything.
“We were trying to implement a system at the time, a belief in ourselves, but not once did he come in and say ‘lads, we need to do this…’
“He just said ‘stick with the plan and stay going’. That confidence he showed in our ability inspired us a little bit to say ‘look, maybe we need to pull the finger out a bit and start doing a bit more for him’.
“He’s a great man. Eamon just wants what best for you outside of hurling as well.
“He wants to bring out the best in you. A lot of lads are starting to see that now. He’s a really good person.
“We don’t want him coming into dressing rooms now saying ‘well done’ and having a meeting the next day and saying ‘where did we go wrong?’
“We’re all sick of those meetings after the last few years.”
