Lorrha skipper Dolan lauds discipline in closing moments
By James Hayden
Newly crowned Tipperary Premier Intermediate champions Lorrha had outstanding performances throughout the field which saw captain, Michael Dolan bring the Seamus O Riain Cup back to the parish for the first time.
Speaking in the wake of their win, Lorrha’s centre-back paid tribute to a side which have put in a huge effort by the entire panel over the past two years.
“For a club like Lorrha these days don’t come around too often,” he began.
“The majority of this team have been on the road together for a number of years and the journey for this team to come from our 2020 loss to Mullinahone in the Seamus O Riain final and subsequent relegation to here today really makes it all the sweeter.
“The unity in this group is amazing and we have always stuck by each other. We have always backed each other and today is the payoff for that.”
Regarding the game itself, Michael said he didn’t feel at any stage was the outcome in doubt, despite Thurles Sarsfields seizing the initiative with five minutes of normal time remaining.
“I think that this is testament to the mentality that Ken, Brian, and Red (Conor Sullivan) have instilled in us. Our mettle has been tested a lot and we have always responded and even when we went a point down with not long left in the game,” Dolan continued.
“I knew that there was more left in the legs and that the mentality was there to drive it on and get over the finish line. Holding your discipline is a huge thing and if you want to win these types of tight battles you have to hold your discipline going down the final stretch.
"Going back to the drawn final we hurled the occasion rather than the match a lot, particularly in the second half. Not to take away from Thurles’ performance the last day but we felt we let them back in and coming down the home stretch today when we had that lead to hold onto and we all just knew without saying we had to hold our shape, don’t dive in, and don’t give away any silly frees.”
Looking forward to the Munster intermediate club championship, Dolan said the team will go into the competition determined to uphold the proud tradition of Tipperary clubs competing in Munster.
“We are representing Lorrha but we are also representing Tipperary so we will go in with that added tradition to uphold. We will enjoy today but we are looking forward to it,” the Lorrha captain added.