Several Kilkenny players have lauded Jackie Tyrrell's half-time speech as being the inspiration for Kilkenny's winning second half performance in the All-Ireland Final yesterday. But, unsurprisingly, Tyrrell himself was keen to play down some of that influence.
The nine time All-Ireland champion insists that the speech wasn't planned and he only decided to speak when Cody and his management briefly retired for a short meeting. Speaking on Morning Ireland earlier today, Tyrell explained the process.
I didn’t plan on talking but Brian [Cody] said if you have something to contribute to the team, contribute, and I just felt things were a little bit dead.
Tyrrell added:
We were very relaxed and we were almost accepting what was going on. I just spoke from the heart. What an opportunity the lads had. We were two points down and we had not really hurled. I just started talking and, lucky enough, the lads reacted.
It's been a difficult summer for Tyrrell. He suffered stress fracture in his foot in July and thus was forced to undertake a peripheral role for Brian Cody's charges. But the Kilkenny man was determined to make his mark.
It was tough getting the injury and things like that. I worked hard but it would no different if Eoin Larkin got the injury or anyone else on the panel. You want to be playing. You want to be in 26 and contributing to the panel
Tyrrell was joined by Kilkenny ace Eoin Larkin who echoed the sentiments of the Kilkenny dressing room. He told Marty Morrisey that their stunning comeback in which they converted a three point deficit into a four point win, was primarily down to Tyrrell's words.
I think this man beside me had a lot to do with it at half-time. He gave a great inspirational speech at half-time and I think Brian summed it up when he said that is what the whole Kilkenny panel is about.
If you can't make it on to the pitch in an All Ireland final, it's certainly not a bad way to ensure you still have an influence.
