Tipp of the iceberg?
By Noel Dundon
In last week’s THE VIEW column, this scribe expressed the wish that the Tipperary senior hurling players would gift their supporters the kind of performance which would give them plenty to cheer about. They did just that and the blue and gold army responded in spades.
A quite wonderful contest in FBD Semple Stadium which had everything you would wish for – apart from a victory of course – Tipperary produced something which fans have been craving for a few years now. They never took a step back from the Limerick lads who have been known to bully them or dictate the tempo of games in recent times; they maintained an incredible hunger and resilience right to the very end to create the equalising point; and they showed the kind of spirit which had the stands and terraces spilling out their familiar chant.
It really did feel like victory when the final whistle sounded, and it was the kind of performance which can perhaps, spark a Premier revival. Bring that kind of showing to any of the remaining three gunfights and Tipperary will be very difficult to beat – the trick will be to keep repeating it. Again. And again. And again.
From the off, Tipp were bullish. No surrender; no step back; no giving way; no soft possessions to the opposition. Yes, there were times of worry during the course of the game and the two Limerick goals were real hammer blows – Adam English’s goal in the first half was a real sickener, while Shane O’Brien’s fine strike three minutes after resumption put Limerick in front, despite Tipp having enjoyed a three point half-time advantage.
That period before half time which saw Tipperary hit five unanswered scores, flooded the side – and the supporters – with belief. But, that belief could have been sucked right out of the side as Limerick his 1-6 in that ten minute second half spell.
Crucially though, John McGrath had shown all his experience and wily to bag an all-important Tipp goal in the 6th minute – few players would have finished either of the goals he got, but John did, and his second goal twenty minutes later was a thing of beauty from a team perspective. That was surely the kind of score which a coach sits back, admires and thinks, yeah, maybe we are getting there. Brilliant team play. Brilliant execution.
This was a really enthralling contest enjoyed by 32,295 spectators. It was full blooded, hard-hitting, nail-biting stuff and it has helped to ignite a provincial bonfire which sees the flames rise and rise higher and higher to the clouds. When the smoke finally clears, spectators will realise that the two clashes in Munster this weekend were off the charts – my God, the difference between Saturday’s fare and Sunday’s were worlds apart.
If it felt like victory for Tipp and defeat for Cork having been 12 points up in their clash with Clare, how does it seem to Limerick and Clare? Well, Limerick will probably be OK about the draw with Tipp – they know they met one hell of a juggernaut in Thurles. Clare, will feel really buoyed by their second half revival as they head to Waterford next weekend to take on the Deise in their own backyard – a big task but one they will be fancied to accomplish.
Cork then? The Rebels are having questions asked of them and the hope is that Tipp will ask a few more on Sunday. The League Final is now irrelevant and the hope would be that more Tipp supporters will be able to gain entry to SuperValu Pairc Uí Chaoimh to lend their voices to the efforts onfield. Cork’s management team has some soul searching to do – how could they have lost that game in Ennis?
Tipperary’s management will be highlighting the many positives from the Limerick clash, but will also know that they need to find percentage gains in various sectors also. Scores did go abegging; possessions were coughed up; mistakes were made. But, in the heat of battle these things happen – the trick is to cut right down on those errors and plough on. A word about Eoghan Connolly’s long range frees – such consistency can be a major weapon for Tipp this season.
Mixed bag besides
Minor hurlers out; U20’s hurlers rolling on; senior footballers heading for the Tailteann Cup; U20’s gone; senior camogie ladies impress. A lot going on, and more to come as the championships enthrall and consume us.