Inside Track with John McIntyre

AHEAD of Sunday’s eagerly anticipated Senior A hurling final, both champions St Thomas’ and challengers Turloughmore will be fine-tuning their tactics and mental approach for the sport’s biggest domestic occasion. They’ll be plans for man markers, puck-outs and hammering the opposition’s hammer.

When it boils down to the nitty gritty, surely Turloughmore’s number one strategy will be to try and curb Conor Cooney – the most influential player in the county championship over the past decade. Hurler of the Year for the past two seasons, St Thomas’ long serving team captain has carried his team over the line in several tight matches due to his astonishing scoring exploits.

Take the recent semi-final against Sarsfields for instance. St Thomas’ were cruising with a seven-point lead but then Kevin Cooney and company rattled over six scores on the spin. They were back to within one and had nearly all the momentum, but up steps Conor Cooney with a couple of great points from play in response and the danger passes.

He finished with a mighty haul of 1-14 and continues to be the main inspiration for his club day in, day out. I hear some neutrals qualifying Cooney’s exploits due to his lack of consistency with Galway, but he is a terrific player and remains critical to St Thomas’ bid to complete a record-equaling six-in-a-row at Pearse Stadium.

So how do Turloughmore set about curbing him. If I were Darren O’Shaughnessy or Brian Holland, my message would be simple. Daithi Burke, your job on Sunday is to stop Cooney: If you must follow him into the dressing room, just don’t let him out of your sight. Ruffle his feathers and don’t give him a moment’s peace.

Pictured: Attending a media promotion ahead of Sunday’s County Senior A Hurling Final at Pearse Stadium, from left: Cathal Daly (St Thomas’ team management), Conor Cooney (St Thomas’ captain), Liam Brady (Brooks Group, sponsor), Ronan Burke (Turloughmore captain), Brian Holland and Darren O’Shaughnessy (Turloughmore Joint Managers).