Eoin Kelly has backed former teammate Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher to bounce back from his injury hell.
Tipperary forward Maher’s season is over after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his left knee during last Sunday’s win over Limerick and it comes as a significant blow to manager Liam Sheedy after the Lorrha man had shown fine form throughout the Munster Championship.
Sheedy says that Maher will remain in and around the camp for the rest of the campaign however, something 2010 All-Ireland winning captain Kelly welcomes.
He said: “The form Bonner Maher was showing this year was brilliant, and he connects with the Tipperary team and the Tipperary supporters.
“Having had the injury myself, I know how tough it is to come back from.
“But, it's great to see that Liam Sheedy intends to keep him around the panel. It goes back to the last time he was in charge, he puts a big emphasis on making sure an injured guy is still a strong member of the squad.”
Kelly reckons that Niall O’Meara and Dan McCormack will tussle for the vacant wing-forward slot ahead of Sunday week’s Munster final against Tipperary.
He told Paddy Power News: “Bonner was one of the guys in that Tipperary team that lead the way in work ethic and the rest of the side have now come up to that standard.
“Niall O'Meara and Dan McCormack have that robust edge to them too. Sometimes, someone's misfortune can lead to someone else’s fortune. Good managers - and Liam Sheedy fits that bill - are always prepared for this scenario.
“Bonner is the kind of guy who’ll fight hard to come back from injury, he fits into that same category as Seamus Callanan and Brendan Maher. He has the same character as those guys.
“There's no doubt in my mind that he will back in the Tipperary jersey because that's his personality.”
Kelly believes there was “definitely some shadow boxing going on” as Tipp beat Limerick last Sunday but the Munster final will be a very different affair.
He added: “John Kiely is going to attack this and I've always said. A Munster medal is a prestigious medal and I know what.
“Tipperary are going to be gung-ho for a Munster Final too. You never know when you're going to get back to a final with a chance of silverware.
“I'd still hold the Munster Championship up there in the same regard as a Celtic Cross. I know at the end of the season the All-Ireland is the ultimate prize, but winning a Munster title is still very special.”
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