"If you don't respect them it's begrudgery"
August 31, 2016
Tipperary's Brendan Maher against Galway.
©INPHO/Cathal Noonan.
Tipperary captain Brendan Maher has the height of respect for All-Ireland final opponents Kilkenny.
As the countdown to this Sunday's showpiece continues to gather pace, Maher told RTÉ Sport: "I admire Kilkenny. I've great respect for them as a team and as players. I think if you don't respect them it's begrudgery.
"To be fair, if I'm being completely honest - and I've no problem in saying it - that I would have admired the Kilkenny team in the way that they were able to grind out victories and the performance levels that they've had."
He continued: "We're coming up against reigning All-Ireland champions and a team that has been winning All-Irelands over the past decade.
"But that's where you want to be. Those are the opportunities that you want. It's great to be there and to have a chance to pit yourself against the best.
"We know if we can lift Liam MacCarthy that we'll really have earned it and deserve to be All-Ireland champions."
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