logo
Tipp star had same bizarre preparation for All-Ireland final as World Cup winner

Tipp star had same bizarre preparation for All-Ireland final as World Cup winner

Tipperary goalkeeper Rhys Shelly has revealed the unique preparation he had for the All-Ireland final.
Shelly, 24, was an integral part of a Tipp team that defied expectations to go all the way to the final this year and beat hot favourites Cork to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
The Moycarkey–Borris clubman is still on cloud nine and doesn't intend on coming down anytime soon.
He told Tipp FM: "It's still hard to believe that we do have it [Liam MacCarthy], to be honest.
"Talking over there, I said the homecoming will help it settle in. It means everything.
"Someone said it to me, doing all the walks beforehand and stuff...every time it cut to me, I was just smiling.
"Just enjoy it...there's no point getting too bogged down in things - it's hurling. We're amateurs at the end of the day. If you don't enjoy it, there's no point playing it.
"Just enjoying every minute of it."
Shelly was understandably nervous ahead of the biggest match of his career last weekend.
But the goalkeeper seemingly took inspiration from Italian football great Andrea Pirlo.
"The day before is probably the worst for me, the waiting around," Shelly said.
"I was playing Ultimate Team on FIFA, the head was kind of gone! I don't know if it was good prep..."
Midfield maestro Pirlo revealed in his autobiography that he spent the afternoon playing video games before playing the 2006 World Cup final.
Pirlo said: "I spent the afternoon of Sunday, 9 July 2006 in Berlin sleeping and playing the PlayStation. In the evening, I went out and won the World Cup."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

All-Ireland final TV viewers have same complaint during Kerry v Donegal
All-Ireland final TV viewers have same complaint during Kerry v Donegal

Irish Daily Mirror

time27 minutes ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

All-Ireland final TV viewers have same complaint during Kerry v Donegal

Kerry and Donegal clashed in Sunday's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final, with over 82,000 people packing into Croke Park for the decider. While David Clifford's magic was a talking point throughout the first-half, the pitch pattern was something else viewers were taking to social media to have their say on. Fans had already vented their frustrations with the design ahead of throw-in and some said it affected their viewing experience of the decider. One wrote: "The lad who's responsibility it was to mow the Croke Park pitch for #allirelandfinal day... What was he thinking with this one lol?" Someone else said: "Whose idea was the design on Croke Park pitch….messing with my mellow man….but Clifford is superb." Another person stated: "That tartan Croke Park pitch wouldn't be for me now at all." One other comment read: "This Croke Park pitch? Down with that sort of thing." Someone else commented: "The cross pattern on the pitch is ridiculous... Who thought that was a good idea." "Embarrassing that they have butchered the pitch for one of Ireland's showpiece sporting events. Shame on the GAA! Almost unwatchable," wrote another.

Rocco Vata targeting World Cup qualifying role for Ireland
Rocco Vata targeting World Cup qualifying role for Ireland

Irish Daily Mirror

time27 minutes ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Rocco Vata targeting World Cup qualifying role for Ireland

Rocco Vata has told Heimir Hallgrimsson that he can offer Ireland something different in World Cup qualifying. The Watford ace won his first senior cap against Bulgaria in March but was among the Championship players left out for June's games against Senegal and Luxembourg. That was a calculated move by Hallgrimsson who didn't want to risk injuries to players from the second tier who were a month out of season. Playmaker Vata will be hoping to force his way back into the mix for September's opening World Cup qualifiers at home to Hungary and away to Armenia. 'It's something I've got my eyes upon,' admitted Vata. 'I need to stay fit and injury free and I'm sure it's something I can achieve.' Vata, 20, will need to hit the ground running when the Championship season begins on August 9. The Hornets are under the management of their new Uruguayan boss Paulo Pezzolano and Vata is getting used to his style, particularly the off-the-ball demands. 'It's going well,' said the attacking midfielder. 'We're learning a new style of play, which has been good but difficult as well. 'The style of play is different, and it's something I need to learn over time. As a team as well, we need to learn the whole structure. There's a lot more off-the-ball responsibility, but I feel like we're getting there now.' And with nine new signings snapped up this summer, Vata added: 'It's almost like a new team! There are a lot of new signings and we will be ready by the start of the season.'

GAA fans rant over 'brutal' new rule that Kerry used to their advantage
GAA fans rant over 'brutal' new rule that Kerry used to their advantage

Irish Daily Mirror

time27 minutes ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

GAA fans rant over 'brutal' new rule that Kerry used to their advantage

A number of GAA fans were left displeased as Kerry used the hooter rule to their advantage to end the first half of the All-Ireland Football final. In what was a rip-roaring first half between the two best teams in the country, the pace of the game comically slowed down for the final 90 seconds as Kerry waited for the hooter to blow. The Kingdom and Donegal did not take a backwards step and played the game at a ridiculously impressive pace up to that point but knowing that if they played to the hooter and put the ball dead, Kerry knew Donegal could work the ball for the final shot. The rule change was brought in this year, removing injury time and removing the subjective nature of it. However, the unintended consequence has meant that teams are happy to keep the ball and work the final shot. Some GAA fans were not happy with the spectacle after what was such an exciting opening half. "The hooter needs to be gotten rid of. Incentivises teams to stop attacking for the last 10 minutes & to play ugly defensive football," said one viewer. "Playing down until hooter actually drives me insane," said another. "Something needs to be done about that hooter rule. Lazy & unsportsmanlike," complained another. "I'm fully in support of the 2 pointer rule now. However, the hooter needs to go- it's a solution to a problem that wasn't really a problem," complained another.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store