Cork catch the Champions in the Pairc
By Noel Dundon (Tipperary Media)
I suppose it was always going to happen some time – that Limerick would be caught by somebody. And, for long stretches of that epic clash in Super Valu Pairc Ui Chaoimh , it looked as though Cork would be the ones who would do it.
Then, it all went pear shaped and Limerick did what Limerick do with their swashbuckling, power play totally blitzing the Rebels who were struggling to find oxygen in the heat of the cauldron.
But then, Cork find breathing space and they kept landing blows, culminating with the penalty goal from Patrick Horgan after that superb run from Shane Kingston. The victory was stirring and had most hurling people cheering for Cork.
So, it might have been a great result for hurling, but it might have been a bad one from a Tipperary perspective.
Now, we will welcome a buoyed blood and bandages outfit to FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday; a team with everything to play for; and a county which has been infused with huge confidence and excitement – the scenes on the pitch following Saturday’s win were more akin to All-Ireland success than a provincial round-robin victory.
Just how much the exertions will have taken out of Cork, we won’t know until the game is underway on Sunday next.
But, history can tell us that anyone who has rumbled with the All-Ireland champions, know all about it, and can be somewhat flat in their next outing – especially when it comes so hot on the heels of that clash.
Maybe that’s wishful thinking, but at this stage Tipperary will take any edge going – victory is a must for Liam Cahill’s men if we are to get out of Munster.
Tipperary Supporters needed.
This week the Tipperary management team will be stressing the need for the players to get to the same level of performance as they reached in Walsh Park. And, to maintain that level for the full game. That’s quite a tall order as few teams dominate now from gun to tape.
But, the winning and losing of games in the modern game, centers around how well you cope with the period when you are not on top; how much of an affront you can offer; and what levels of resilience you can muster.
Tipperary succeeded in managing the Waterford ascendancy pretty well and they will have to do the same on Sunday when Cork get their rhythm going.
That’s when they must trust their own game; trust the player standing beside them; and trust the process they have been building towards.
There has been a big call in the last few days for a huge Tipperary following to populate FBD Semple Stadium and to cheer the lads on.
You could see the importance of the crowd to the Cork men on Saturday evening and given their penchant for getting results in Thurles and their grá for the birthplace of the GAA, they will come in their droves again on Sunday.
So, Tipperary must be ready in the stands as much as on the field. Why not throw your weight behind the players – they gave us plenty to cheer about in Walsh Park and the hope is that there will be plenty more of where that came from on Sunday.
Leinster starts to surprise.
What a result for the Carlow hurlers by the way – anyone getting a draw with Kilkenny is noteworthy.
While we in Munster think we have the monopoly on epic clashes, there have been a few surprises in Leinster too with Carlow drawing to Kilkenny; Antrim beating Wexford; Wexford beating Galway and who knows what else is to come.
A scatter of these epic games have been on GAAGo – let’s not even go there!!
Minor and u20’s lead the Way.
It is great to see the Tipp minor and U20 hurling teams making their way to the provincial finals after solid round robin showings which saw victories and one defeat apiece en-route.
Setbacks can be the season defining episodes for any squad, and how they react to them will usually dictate their fate.
The minors bounced back from their loss to win again last week – Brendan Cummins’ men must wait to see how they bounce when they meet the winners of Cork and Clare.
That semi-final could go either way – Cusack Park Ennis is not an easy place to go, even if Cork are the fancied side.
So, let’s hope that one more step can be taken – it would be great to put silverware on the table and to keep the conveyor belt moving.
More from THE VIEW anon. Don‘t miss it.
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