“Come Sunday it’s all to play for,” Fenians star defender JJ Delaney told the Kilkenny Advertiser ahead of this Sunday’s All-Ireland final.
“You’re going there to finish it off,” he said. “If you don’t win it kind of takes away from the last four finals. You kind of feel come a few year’s down the road people may not be talking about the four we won but the one we lost. So now we do all we can, our very best, to bring Liam MacCarthy back to Kilkenny.
With the players’ injuries dominating the headlines the past few weeks one player who knows all about this is Delaney. He suffered the same fate in 2006 when he was cruelly injured the week leading up to the All-Ireland final.
“I have felt awful for my team mates; it’s devastating when you suffer an injury,” he said. “You’re working all year towards the final and to be struck down is really tough. It’s such a lonely place when you’re injured as it’s individual but you have to get on with it.”
To be part of history is very exciting for Delaney and he can’t wait for this Sunday. “I’m really looking forward to the game. I am so excited and cannot wait to get there. It’s the only way to feel you have to love what you do or there’s no point doing it.”
Delaney has a lot of respect for the opposition and feels they have come a long way.
“Tipp have been the form team over the past two years. They have racked up a good few wins now and have come along way since their surprise loss to Cork. However, we’re going to concentrate on our own game, do our very best and not back down “
While some players find it hard to switch off and relax ahead of the game, Delaney is well able to kick back.
“The week leading up will be a normal one for me. I will work right up until the Friday. I’ll keep myself well distracted on the Saturday just hanging out with my family and friends. Most importantly, I’ll be getting plenty of sleep.”
