As Tipperary prepare for battle against Kilkenny on Sunday in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final, Patrick Maher says playing alongside his team-mates can be "magical".
The centre-forward is due to line up alongside Seamus Callanan and John O’Dwyer for the Croke Park showdown as the old rivals go head to head for the Liam MacCarthy prize.
That duo contributed 2-10 of the Premier County’s total of 2-18 in the semi-final against Cork and Maher outlined how it was a pleasure to be a part of that forward line.
“When Tipperary hurl free, when they are relaxed, they are magical to watch,” Maher, who is looking to add to his 2010 All-Ireland medal, told RTÉ Sport.
“It’s a good mixture. And even playing with and seeing some of these boys in action, Seamie Callanan, Bubbles O'Dwyer, seeing some of these boys when they’re free, it’s magical.
“One score that stands [out] for me all year is Bubbles’ last against Cork. He blocked down a man, regained possession and put the ball over the bar himself.
"That’s worth two or three points to a backline seeing a forward do that.”
"When they are relaxed, they are magical to watch"
The general consensus is that, while Tipp did what they had to do in the semi-final, the Rebels did not fire on all cylinders.
Maher concedes that nothing will come easy against the “best” on Sunday.
“We’re looking forward to that battle," he added.
"When you are playing sports you want to be competing against the best. We’re looking forward to going up there and showing what we have to offer against the best.
“You have to take your hat off to them, they’re a great team and have great servants in Henry [Shefflin] and Tommy Walsh and the boys.”
