LAR CORBETT’S RETURN to action has provided Tipperary’s squad with ‘a great buzz’ after he made a comeback with his club Thurles Sarsfields at the weekend.
Corbett was introduced as a substitute in a club championship tie after an injury-wrecked 2014 campaign which has prevented him from featuring since the Waterford Crystal Cup in January.
With Tipperary down to face Limerick in three weeks in their Munster opener, Corbett’s return from a knee injury is a timely boost.
“He got about 15 minutes for Sarsfields and seemed to go well,” says Tipperary selector Paudie O’Neill. “He’s been back training with us for a fortnight. It took a long time to get to the root of what the problem was.
“It was a small difficulty at the back of the knee. He’s back now and we’re happy with that. It’s three weeks down the line. The next week or two will be crucially important to see if there’s any reaction.
“That’s the difficulty with these sorts of problems. You get to the game but then there could be a reaction afterwards or two days later.
“We’ll see how things go. Three weeks’ time will come very quickly. He has a natural athleticism, absolutely. It’s just a question of match-fitness but that’s another aspect.”
Captain Brendan Maher outlines the impact of Corbett’s return.
“It’s a great buzz to have Lar back. He came back training the week before the league final and he is such a presence. To have him back out on the pitch and to be able to interact with him in drills and that just gives the whole group a lift.
“His performances speak for themselves. He’s had a long career with some fantastic performances in the Tipperary jersey. Knowing Lar he’ll have himself in tip-top condition by the first of June.
“As he says himself if that means he gets a starting position then well and good and if he doesn’t he’ll still give something to the team whatever way he can.”
