Eddie Brennan | Joe Canning | Ollie Canning | DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan
Martin Comerford | Lar Corbett | Brendan Cummins | Ronan Curran
Ger Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Damien Fitzhenry | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Michael Kavanagh
Eoin Kennedy | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Larkin | Derek Lyng
Fergus McMahon | Seanie McMahon | Johnny McIntosh | Andrew Mitchell
Stephen Molumpy | Pat Mulcahy | John Mullane | Sean Óg Ó Hailpin
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | Ben O'Connor | Seamus Prendergast
Keith Raymond | Eoin Quigley | Joe Rabbite | Keith Rossiter | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | James Skehill | Tommy Walsh | Brian Whelehan | James Young
Lar Corbett is already a Tipperary veteran at 27. The full-forward who plays his club hurling for Thurles Sarsfields is a natural goal-getter but also chips in with points from all angles. Lar made his Senior debut for Tipp in 2000 and a year later collected his first National League medal, scoring 4 points in the final. Later that year, the Premier County added the Liam McCarthy Cup. A few barren years followed before Tipperary came storming out of the blocks this year under new boss Liam Sheedy. Tipp again won the League, with Lar scoring 1-03 to earn the Man-of-the-Match award in the final. He also helped Tipp claim Munster honours this year, beating Cork on Leeside for the first time in more than 80 years in the semi-final. However, Tipperary fell short in the All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford. But with talented young players coming through, and experienced hands like Lar leading from the front, they will be well placed to challenge Kilkenny in 2009.
Tipperary had a great year in 2008, what was your highlight?
From a team point of view, it was great to win the National League and the Munster Championship - it's always great to get to finals but it's even better when you win them.
Who was the toughest team you faced?
This year, it would have been Waterford in Croke Park in the All-Ireland semi-final. We didn't get to play Kilkenny this year, but any team who beats you, you can make no excuses. Waterford beat us and the better team won on the day.
Who is your toughest opponent?
I haven't met him yet!
Who were your heroes growing up?
Declan Ryan of Tipperary and Kilkenny's DJ Carey.
Who are the players you admire?
I don't really have a player that I admire now, I would have admired a lot of players when I was growing up.
What club do you play for and who would be your greatest rivals?
I play for Thurles Sarsfields, and I wouldn't see us having rivals because it's a sport and a game. There are club teams that I admire, such as Toomevara, because like Kilkenny, after all the talk, they come back and achieve year after year.
Do you play other sports?
I play a small bit of golf, but it's more a pastime and a way to relax than anything else.
What is the most important skill?
Being able to catch the ball in the air is the most important skill in my opinion.
What advice would you give to young players?
Just do what you want to do - and give it your all, 100% everytime.
What are your hopes for 2009?
At the start of the year, every team wants to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup. We want to defend our League and Munster titles and let’s see where we go from there.
Name: Lar Corbett
Age: 27
Team: Tipperary
Debut: 2000 v Clare
Position: Full-Forward
Honours:
1 All-Ireland Senior title,
2 National Hurling League titles,
2 Munster Senior titles,
1 Railway Cup title,
1 Tipperary Senior Hurling title,
1 Tipperary Minor Hurling title,
1 All-Star Nomination.
Club: Thurles Sarsfields
Fav Food: Lasagne
Fav Band: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Fav Book: Roy Keane biography
Fav TV: Xposé
Fav Film: Blood Diamond
Occupation: Electrician
CúlFACT:
Lar never played Minor hurling for Tipperary, and only lined out at U-21 level AFTER he had made his Senior debut. That’s mad! |
