Jackie Tyrrell found himself in new territory when James Stephens faced Rower Inistioge in the Kilkenny Junior Hurling League.
Tyrrell was one of the best defenders in the country during a long inter-county career with Kilkenny which saw him win nine All-Irelands. On Friday night, as Tyrrell's James Stephens won 2-28 to 1-12, Tyrrell wore the number 14 on his back.
Indeed he did. Don’t want to get carried away but he appears to have a bright future ahead of him.
— James Stephens GAA (@VillageGAA) July 24, 2020
"I've never played in the forwards before," the 38-year-old Tyrrell told the RTÉ GAA podcast on Thursday
"We played a challenge match recently and I ended up there so I believe I'll be thrown up there with the old experience card being played because there are a lot of young lads up there.
"I'm looking forward to a new challenge. I just hope the fullback from Rower Inistioge is around the same age as me so we can cancel each other out and stay in around the square and that he's not darting out for balls, making me look bad.
"It seems to be a bit of trend around here. It's the old reliable thing, you throw the big awkward lad up in the full-forward line and put a few nippy lads in around him and go from there with route one balls.
"Tommy Walsh was hugely successful with Tullaroan last year [playing full-forward]. They won the Kilkenny Intermediate and went on to win the club All-Ireland. He was hugely influential, particularly in the county final.
"It can work if the right supply of ball is going in. Normally, we try to put lovely diagonal balls in front of the full-forward. I won't be looking for that tomorrow. It'll be route one. If there's snow on it when it's coming down, I'll be all up for that!"
Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
