'He’d do anything for you' - Callanan unsurprised by grafter Woodlock’s managerial impact

Honesty, work-ethic and drive are the three words Callanan uses to describe his club-mate, who is three years his senior, and he sees all of those traits in Woodlock’s Tipp minor hurling team who play Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final on Saturday night.

Callanan accepts it’s not ideal that the coin toss went Kilkenny’s way, bringing the game to Nowlan Park, but he says his club-mate will have the team primed going into the lion’s den.

“Tipp will love the challenge,” says Callanan. “They definitely won’t fear it,” adds the Electric Ireland ambassador.

Woodlock managed Tipp to All-Ireland minor glory in Nowlan Park in 2022, beating Offaly in a famous finale and Callanan feels those memories will stand to them.

Tipp have had to grind their way to the decider, beating a fancied Clare side in Munster before overcoming Galway by a point in the All-Ireland semi. Callanan says the ‘heart’ the team have shown is a reflection of their management team, led by Woodlock and including his fellow former team-mate Conor O’Brien.

"They've shown great heart,” Callanan says of their campaign.

"You can see the real fingerprints of James Woodlock and Conor O'Brien.

“It’s that defiance that’s in them. To me watching it, that's Woodlock and O’Brien all over. Just completely driven and never backing down from a challenge."

Acknowledging that it was a disappointing year for the county’s seniors, Callanan has praised the minor, under-20 and camogie teams for giving supporters a timely boost.

“It was a much-needed tonic,” he said.

"There were a few tough matches there to be a Tipperary supporter. But that just underlines the fact that we should be rowing in behind this team.

“There's a bit of doom and gloom about the senior panel and how that year went but to finish out the year in an U20 All-Ireland and now contesting a minor final, it's something to be positive about,” he adds.

“This team proved in the Munster final against Clare the heart that they have and then coming through by a point against Galway after extra-time too. 

"I'm really looking forward to Saturday to get down there to support them.” 

Woodlock managed Callanan in 2020 as Drom-Inch boss and, win lose or draw this weekend, Callanan is backing him to forge a long and successful career in inter-county management.

"Whether you meet him as a friend or as a manager, he's the same. He'd do anything for you.

“He's a great club-man who had a stellar career with Tipperary too, but it's built on complete honesty, work-ethic and drive.

“In everything he does, that man will work around the clock, he's a really hard grafter.

"He was always a leader. He was always very organised. Nothing was ever done in half measures. And definitely yeah, you could see him taking the pathway as a manager.” 

Callanan name-checks Cillian Minogue, Stefan Tobin and Euan Murray as three forwards to keep an eye on for Tipperary though he’s well aware of Kilkenny’s talent, with Jake Mullen, younger brother of Adrian impressing so far.

Kilkenny’s physicality stood out for him in their semi-final win over Clare, with Callanan describing them as ‘monsters for only under-17.’ Tipperary-Kilkenny games always bring out a certain passion and emotion, and it’s their first All-Ireland minor final meeting since 2002. Tipperary will be hoping for better luck than they had that day, with a Kilkenny side captained by Michael Rice winning out by 14 points.

On weeks like these, Callanan is reminded of 2006 when he was part of the Tipp team that beat Galway to win the All-Ireland minor title.

Players like Brendan and Paudie Maher, Gearóid Ryan and Michael Cahill were also playing that day, before enjoying long and successful careers as Tipperary hurlers. Callanan says their experience as minors stood to them as they went on to win senior All-Irelands together.

“You always remember those things. They’re special moments in your life. It’s a long, long time ago now,” he laughs.

“But a lot of the players I played with back then came the whole way through and we had that special bond since the time we were only 16, 17.

“The minor championship had a huge effect on us as a team, helping us make the break going into senior.

“We just loved being in each other’s company, and I’m sure it’s the same for these lads now. It's going to be a great occasion. Nowlan Park is brilliant. The stadium closes in on top of you and creates a great atmosphere.

"When it's minor, structure goes out the window a little bit and the players. can really showcase their skills. I think it's going to be so exciting. I can’t wait for it.”