First League Final since 1960
By Noel Dundon
A point is all you have be in front to win a game and so it proved in FBD Semple Stadium on a cold and drizzly Saturday evening when Tipp came from seven down to win by the narrowest of margins in a game which sparked only in the dying embers.
As expected, Clare came with a fair degree of fight and the number of early skirmishes indicated that this would be a right battle. It was that alright but it failed to capture the imagination of the attendance for long periods and only when Tipp began to make inroads on the deficit did the crowd come to life.
Did we learn anything from this game? Yes we did, but perhaps we learned more about those who might not feature come championship time as we did about those who have nailed down places.
The most satisfying thing to take from the game though is that Tipperary’s bench made an enormous difference when introduced – the treble substitution ten minutes in the second half indicating the level of dissatisfaction at what was unfolding on the part of the management. Darragh Stakelum got the winning point to go along with the one he scored with his first touch; Gearoid O’Connor added significantly to the attack; and Bryan O’Mara shored up the defence. Andrew Ormond and Sean Kenneally also got in and looked productive.
It would have been nice to see Conor Stakelum getting some minutes too – he did well in a game against Waterford last week and appears to be coming back into the fray after injury at just the right time -perhaps he will feature in the League Final against Cork.
A good league for Tipp overall, the only blemish being the Limerick defeat. We haven’t won a league title since 2008 and are well overdue a chance at the silverware. Of course when we consider that Cork haven’t won it since 1998, it puts things into perspective. And, when we further consider that it is 1960 since the two counties met in a league final – well that’s a hell of a long time for two hurling powerhouses.
So, it will be with much anticipation that we ready ourselves for the league final. The attitude in Tipperary has to be to go for it – get silverware in the dressingroom; continue with the confidence building; lay down a marker; and give players more high-octane game time. What’s there to not like about being in the second most important national final?
Surprising results continued right up to the final round robin weekend with Wexford turning over Limerick, while Cork’s goal-fest continued against Galway – their ability to bag green flags is something Tipperary will have to be on guard against. The final will be played on the first weekend in April – two weeks before the championship opener against Limerick. Much to look forward to then.
Underage hurling to the fore.
Following the outstanding victory of Thurles CBS in the Croke Cup final in Croke Park, and Roscrea’s magnificent win the B All-Ireland, focus switches this week to the Tipp minors and U20’s both of whom have championship dates. The games are coming thick and fast now and it will be important for Brendan Cummins’ men to get off to a good start against Limerick as their second outing will be away to Cork. The minors have Waterford in their maiden venture and with both matches on in FBD Semple Stadium, the hope would be that they will be well supported as they kick off their respective campaigns.
The CBS victory was stunning in its execution and once again illustrated the importance of remaining calm, staying true to the gameplan, and taking opportunities when they present. The victory over Presentation Athenry was very special and the celebrations since have been great.
But, now it’s back to brass tacks again and many of those lads go again with the minors and the U20’s in the next leg of their hurling careers. We wish them all well.
Football and camogie woes.
The Tipperary footballers fell to Wicklow in Clonmel on Sunday and suffered another disappointing defeat. That was also the lot of the Tipp senior camogie ladies who suffered at the hands of the Rebels on Saturday – lessons learned by both sides one hopes.