Cahill’s Super Charges Stir the Tipperary Fans Despite Owen’s Horror Show
By Noel Dundon (Tipperary Media)
You really would have to wonder what goes through peoples heads. I mean really -how could anybody be so pig ignorant as to be firing personal abuse of the worst kind possible at members of the Tipp senior hurling management team? These were keyboard warriors who never suffered a skinned knuckle in the heat of battle.
I suppose it is one of the great ills of social media that people feel that they can vent their feelings without any thought for the person at the other end of the comment.
Well, they got their answer on Saturday evening in Walsh Park when Liam Cahill and his backroom team rallied the Premier troops and oversaw a performance which, on most occasions, could have seen Tipperary come away with the points. This was a stirring display from Tipp and one which lasted right to the fifth minute of additional time – the team died with their boots on and getting those last two scores of the game to secure a point was nothing more than Tipperary deserved.
Of course the story of the game does not end there and the sub-standard performance of officials on the day is also a major talking point and ought to be a topic in the higher echelons of power in Croke Park. James Owens is only human and refereeing is not an easy task. But my God, he was so out of it on Saturday evening, it wasn’t funny.
Four massive calls went against Tipperary and when mentors tried to intervene and outline their perspective, they were given short shrift. It will be interesting to see what the referees assessors make of it all – James Owens will most certainly be yellow carded and perhaps even red carded for his performance – by red, he may not get another game this season. And, even if you wanted to, it would be hard to go out and bat for him on Saturday’s evidence.
Perhaps his biggest faux-pas was running across Tipp goalkeeper Barry Hogan as the Waterford penalty was being struck – not only was it a highly debatable penalty decision in the first place, especially when he didn’t give a similar penalty at the other end minutes later – the Wexford man then totally distracted Hogan with his movement. What was he thinking? It was sheer bonkers. He knew full well what he had done – see how he scampered across like a Tom-cat who realised that he had just lost one of his lives – a fraction of a second later and he would have had a sliothar print on his backside.
Surely the penalty should have been re-taken. Remember no whistle had sounded for the penalty and it was the same with the third Waterford goal with the free being taken quickly – no whistle sounded either.
The second Waterford goal? Should it have been disallowed? Well, a third man tackle was missed before Waterford rattled the net – Owens then proceeded to book the Waterford player for the tackle, but still allowed the goal to stand. Wrong call again?
The most galling of all was the high tackle on Cathal Barrett which left him grounded – any other player fouled like that and you are talking about a yellow card – perhaps even a red. But, not even a free??? My God, what was he looking at? Seriously, what was he looking at?
These errors are too serious to be allowed to slide. Tipp should be screaming blue murder over these incidents, but will we? Probably not.
Anyway, what a performance from Tipp, but it was hardly unexpected. This column offered THE VIEW last time out that we would have a right cut off Waterford by throwing off the shackles and channeling their anger into the kind of performance which would stir supporters.
They did exactly that and what a reaction they received from the travelling supporters who delighted at the fight and spirit displayed. Liam Cahill danced for joy at the end of the game, but his celebrations had more to do with his delight at the honour, honesty and sheer will to not lose which they displayed, rather than the result – captain Ronan Maher leading the way by sterling example.
This Tipp team deserves support and there are two opportunities not to show it – both in FBD Semple Stadium, with Cork and Clare paying visits. Win those games and a Munster Final looms. One game at a time though – let’s pack Semple for the first home game of the season.
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