By Noel Dundon (Tipperary Media)
Limerick leave the Pairc with another win over Tipp.
The one thing you always find with big games against big teams, is that you learn a lot. And, in Tipperary’s case on Saturday evening in Super Valu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, we learned a hell of a lot.
The management team will have watched with great interest as some players played themselves into contention. Unfortunately, others probably played themselves out of the plans as, when the real pressure was applied by the All-Ireland champions, wilting was very evident.
Tests don’t come much bigger than Limerick these days and Liam Cahill will have been pleased enough with aspects of the performance – not conceding a goal for instance is very positive. And, we also managed to pilfer three goals at the other end.
However, the fouling rate was quite high, and while a lot of the decisions which went against Tipperary were harsh enough, the fact still remains that Limerick enjoyed a greater return from placed balls (0-8) in comparison to Tipperary (0-3).
The stats don’t lie and the fact that this was another significant game under the Kiely era in which Tipperary failed to defeat Limerick is disappointing – we have had a few draws but actually managing to get over the line in victory is as rare as hens teeth. Limerick right now are our arch enemies and it is hurting Premier supporters that the team cannot put one over the Treaty County.
But, it would be foolish to place too much emphasis on this game. There are still a few players to come back into contention and a number who were probably disappointed not to have featured on the night. Clearly management wanted to look at some players in a high octane encounter and make determinations as to their capabilities. From that perspective, this defeat has been a success and it helps to crystallize the thinking as the opening championship tie comes closer still.
It’s Antrim away next weekend and there will not be much learnings from that game, one would imagine. It’s a long trip north on St Patrick’s weekend to link up with Darren Gleeson’s charges and the likelihood is that Tipperary will be in the concluding stages of the Allianz National Hurling League – just as we would have wanted.
Tipperary probably have a bit in reserve yet as the middle of March approaches and with the ground hopefully firming up in the coming weeks, there will be greater emphasis on ball work. The squad is training exceptionally well and there will be no doubts about fitness when it comes to the crunch – the work has been done; the mileage is in the legs; and stamina will not be lacking come summer time.
Speaking of fitness, the injury to Seamus Kennedy is a big worry. The St Mary’s man has become a go-to player for Tipperary and the fact that he can operate in four of the six lines on the pitch is a major plus – not too many players can give that level of versatility these days. Let’s hope the injury is not quite as serious as it looked on Saturday evening.
Babs’ hole in one for the Dillon Quirke Foundation
A unique reunion of the Tipperary All-Ireland treble winning sides of 1989 is on the cards by way of a fundraising golf classic in aid of the Dillon Quirke Foundation – Dillon’s father Dan scored three goals in the U21 All-Ireland victory that year.
Now, former sponsors Enfer intend to celebrate that unique achievement by bringing together the players once again from those three winning teams of 1989 on Friday 19th April at Cahir Golf Club. The senior victory, orchestrated by Babs Keating, Theo English and Donie Nealon, was Tipperary’s first title in eighteen years and it brought a whole generation of Tipperary supporters on board as keen followers of the blue and gold jersey – the result was that over 30,000 attended the U21 final in Portlaoise against Offaly, a few days after the senior title had been clinched.
The classic will be a real celebration of Tipperary hurling and a chance to raise funds for a magnificent cause.
To book a team or to attend the event: legendsgolfclassic@outlook.ie
Call or text :085 1021971 and join the whatsapp group.
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