Four off and hardly a foul blow.
By Noel Dundon
If you had been told prior to throw-in that four red cards would be brandished in the Allianz National Hurling League tie between Tipperary and Kilkenny in UPMC Nowlan Park, you could probably be forgiven for thinking that a bloodbath and outright war was on the cards.
But, such is the nature of the modern game that yellow cards and red cards are given out like snuff at a wake. And you know, referee Sean Stack was actually right on the money with each call – the dismissal of Tipperary’s Alan Tynan being the most debatable of the four.
Memories of Richie Hogan and Cathal Barrett’s clash in the All-Ireland final of 2019 came flooding back when Tynan held his hands up as he pleaded his innocence – had Stack not taken action of the red variety, he would have had a baying ensemble of Cats roaring from the stands. As it turned out, by the time he had lofted the red for the third occasion, they were braying anyway.
Tipperary have claimed significant scalps in this league campaign -away victory in Salthill; away victory in Nowlan Park; home victory against the All-Ireland finalists Cork come to mind immediately. And, despite hitting 2-25 against Kilkenny’s 1-19 in front of 9,563 spectators, Liam Cahill’s men still have plenty of improving to do. Kilkenny were left in the game for a long time – there were only four points in it with ten minutes to go, and remember Kilkenny were down to 12 at this stage, against 14 Tipperary men.
Granted the Premier lads accounted for seven of the final nine scores of the game as Kilkenny tired, but TJ Reid’s frees had kept them in the match and they showed that they were not prepared to fold up the tent and go home just yet. Eventually, Tipp got the job done and another significant victory in Kilkenny was achieved.
Coming off the back of the All-Ireland minor success last year when numerical disadvantage was our lot, it just seems that Nowlan Park might not be as difficult a place to visit as in days of yore. We have enjoyed some good days in the venue and Sunday was another one.
The victory should be taken with a strong dose of reality though -Tipperary had far closer to a championship starting side on show than Kilkenny and we also looked to be further down the road in terms of preparation. So victory, while extremely welcome, should not see us running away to book the Croke Park Hotel for All-Ireland weekend just yet.
Next up for Tipperary is a Banner visit to FBD Semple Stadium – the Clare lads suffered a big defeat at the hands of Cork, just when it seemed they had turned a corner.
Kilkenny go to Limerick to play out that postponed game and if results go as expected, it could be a Tipperary vs Limerick league final – two weeks before we play in the championships first round. Now that would be a predicament. Cork will have something to say about that scenario too though. Watch this space.
Croke Cup Final in Croke Park.
Thurles CBS will descend on Croke Park in search of the Croke Cup on St Patrick’s Day and with the hopes of all of Tipperary for company. Victory in the All-Ireland Colleges Senior A Final would be a marvellous addition to their Dr Harty Cup success – the two former GAA Patron’s cups standing side-by-side in the school would be a sight to behold.
The Thurles lads will have to bring their best performance to HQ if they are to win through – a showing similar to the semi-final one in Banagher against Claregalway will simply not suffice. The cutting of the loaf is in their own hands now – bring their A game and they will create the environment to achieve success.
Football Matters.
A fine victory by the Tipperary U20 footballers against Limerick gives much cause for positivity as they kick off their campaign. Next up for them is a clash with Clare this coming weekend while the senior footballers will lock horns with a rampant Wexford side away in the sunny south east. Getting something from this game will be a challenge, but Tipp tend to do better when expectations are not elevated.
Some more tweaks to the football rules may be in the pipeline, we are told – having attended club games at the weekend, there is still a lot of confusion about the current ones, never mind altered ones. Interesting times ahead.