Tyrrell not surprised by Davy factor 05/09/2008 - 19:55:08
There is one man in the Cats camp this weekend who knows more than most about the man patrolling the line for the opposite side.
Moving on from All-Ireland glory with Clare in 1995 and 1997, Davy Fitzgerald is attempting to steer Waterford to their first Liam McCarthy Cup success since 1959 in his first year as an inter-county manager.
And who is the man with the inside knowledge? James Stephens clubman Jackie Tyrrell, of course, who was part of the Limerick IT side that Fitzgerald managed to Fitzgibbon Cup titles in both 2005 and 2006.
The Kilkenny defender is not surprised that the crafty Clare man has turned Waterford's fortunes around and guided them through to a first All-Ireland final in 45 years.
"Waterford have rejuvenated the championship - under Davy Fitz they are a new team I suppose. I wasn't surprised at all to see them turning it around," Tyrrell admitted.
"I had Davy Fitzgerald training me in Limerick IT, so I knew exactly what he was going to do and he has done it.
"Davy is very organised and professional in his approach and he seems to be getting the best out of players.
"There were Waterford lads that were struggling earlier in the year but he seems to have rejuvenated their year really and is getting the best from them.
"He is a very good man-manager to read players and get the best out of them."
Between Fitzgibbon Cup games and inter-county action, Tyrrell is aware that there is a lot of familiarity between both sets of players competing in the final.
"There would be, I suppose. Waterford know our game and we know their game. We would have played with and against each other in Fitzgibbon Cup games and league matches.
"They beat us in the league final last year. We'd know their game and they'd know our game and it's going to be a battle of who gets the better of that really."
The 26-year-old's pre-match routine is not anything out of the ordinary, but he revealed that an air of quietness does descend on the Kilkenny camp as they approach Croke Park on a big match day.
"You'd be going up on the bus and lads would be chatting, but when you get near Croke Park everything seems to get a little quieter and everyone is just focusing in on their own job and what they have to do.
"It does get nerve-wracking but that's all part and parcel of it. You get over that, get on the field and just wait for the first ball and work your way into the game."
Tyrrell is also thrilled to be a part of such a committed Kilkenny panel.
"It's brilliant. You only have to look at the lads on the sideline the last day to realise how lucky you are to be playing.
"I suppose lads have come in this year in different positions and have done unbelievably well.
"You know that on any given day if you don't go out and put your heart into it and perform, that someone else is going to come into your position and perform in your place."
Neighbourly rivalry is rife this week, especially along the border, where Ferrybank touches Kilkenny and all through that golden area where they relish matches like this one.
However, Tyrrell confesses that it does not matter who Kilkenny are facing, and that it is all about gaining composure on the day, focusing on your own game and not that of your opponents.
"If you are right on the day, whether it's Tipperary, Waterford or Cork it shouldn't matter," he said.
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There is one man in the Cats camp this weekend who knows more than most about the man patrolling the line for the opposite side.
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