Willie Maher happy to be a part of 'unique' occasion despite big loss to home county

The Battle of Ballingarry came to an inevitable end by the time Johnny Murphy blew the final whistle in FBD Semple Stadium last Saturday evening.

For Laois manager Willie Maher, it was a humbling experience for his team as the game was nearly decided within the first half an hour and speaking after the match, the new man in the O’Moore hotseat isn’t going to panic in the early days of his tenure.

"We're not going to change things in 10 weeks,” Maher said.

“Our lads didn’t show up for 35 minutes and they let Tipperary play the ball around. Playing in Division 1 against top teams like this, we knew it was going to be a learning day,” he added.

“We’re trying to change things and get lads used to top level hurling and you can do nothing but learn on a night like this.

“We’re working towards something; this is not a short-term project. Tonight was a line in the sand and we’ll drive on from it.”

The prematch chatter about the interesting side plot of Maher and former clubmate Liam Cahill facing off in opposing dugouts was quickly put to one side once the ball was thrown in, and Maher said it was a “unique honour” for two of Ballingarry’s finest being in each other’s way.

“I congratulated him afterwards.

“It’s a unique honour for our parish, we’re a very small club in south Tipperary and we’re delighted to be here tonight, albeit on different sides.

“It’s a strange week for myself, building myself up to play Tipperary.

“I’ve been coming here (Semple) all my life as a boy and it’s in my blood so it’s difficult but it’s great to share a sideline with Liam and we might do it again.”