Clare star still learning from talent coming through

For someone with the mercurial touch of Tony Kelly, it’s intriguing to hear the Ballyea man discuss improving upon and refining his artillery for Championship combat.

After requiring ankle surgery last October, Kelly was forced to watch from the sidelines as Ballyea showed remarkable grit to eventually emerge triumphant and lift the Canon Hamilton.

The 28-year-old was part of the St. Flannan’s management team when the Ennis school lifted the Dean Ryan Cup in November, three days after Ballyea were crowned county champions for the third time in the club’s history.

The teacher believes he can take lessons from watching his clubmates and the students he coaches between the white lines.

“It gives me a different perspective when I’m watching games on the sideline. Something I enjoy doing is coaching the younger players. No matter what age you are you can pick up a thing or two watching other players. You can learn a lot from different players.”

After a decade of hurling with Clare, Kelly is no doubt an experienced campaigner. However, when quizzed on whether he tries to impart his acquired knowledge on the fresher faces in the panel, the Ballyea man insists that he learns just as much if not more from the talent coming through.

“I suppose leadership is something players develop as they get older. You look at John Conlon, Paul Flanagan, Davy Mc (David McInerney) and Shane O’Donnell to name a few, there is a good core group there.

“There is talent coming through. The 20s were unlucky not to win both (games). We know the talent is there. It’s just about honing it now. It’s a two way street because the new guys coming through can more than show us a few things so you’re always learning something new.”

With any elite sportsperson, a spell on the sidelines can leave them feeling that they are falling behind the curve. For some it can allow them to recuperate and manage other knocks and bruises.

Kelly admits his winter of rehab did allow him a break in his hectic hurling schedule. However, the three time All Star believes he did need time to adjust and reach match sharpness after returning to training.

“I did get a break but I wanted to play my part for the club. When you are out for a few months you are eager to get back. Then when you do come back you realise that you have a bit of work to do. I was able to get back training in good time before coming back. You can train all you want but matches bring that sharpness to your game.”

Under the round robin format, home advantage could prove critical when deciding who finishes among the top three teams in the group.

The Ballyea man is content with the current format and despite the quick turnaround in games, Kelly is savouring the prospect of hosting Limerick and Waterford in Cusack Park.

“We would have a good few involved in ’18 and ’19. It was the same format so we have experienced it. It’s so evenly matched and competitive. An injury now means your whole Munster Championship hangs in the balance. It’s just about staying sharp and fit. You are judging yourself against the best so you need a strong panel.”

“It’s great to have a minimum of four Championship games. It’s mighty to have two games in Cusack Park. The home games are huge. You need to be winning them to give yourself a right good chance. It’s a great venue for Championship. We need the support whether it’s in Thurles or Cusack Park and I’m sure the supporters will back us.”

Despite Tipperary also suffering with the absence of experienced personnel through retirement and injury, Kelly believes his side face a tough proposition when travelling to Semple Stadium.

“They are in a similar boat to ourselves. We would love to have a full complement but teams will pick up injuries. They are always a tough side to face. I think both teams know the strength of the panels will be tested as injuries may have a big bearing on a team’s chances.”

Kelly spoke to The Clare Champion before the opening round of Munster Championship games last weekend. Prior to the Championship, there was very little if any talk about this Clare team emerging from the Munster Championship.

Clare’s sole All Star recipient last year is content for the Banner to quietly go about their business and allow Limerick and Waterford to dominate the headlines.

“All the talk has been about Waterford and how well they’ve been going and rightly so. Limerick as the defending All Ireland and Munster champions have been talked about too. There is very little talk of anyone else. That suits us fine. If we’re written off it doesn’t matter.”

“We are working on getting a performance out of ourselves against Tipp so we will just focus on what we are doing.”