Masters seeking more of Redser’s hot streak; Camogie ladies semi bid; Cabinet reshuffle; Clubs in waiting; Awesome Limerick.
Thomas Tuchel was torn apart for the tactics that saw England crash out of the World Cup against Argentina. The German “genius” flooded the pitch with defenders, clinging to the old mantra: what we have, we hold. Argentina had other ideas. Two late strikes turned it into a Messi night for England, ensuring football was not coming home!!!
Could the same criticism be aimed at the Galway management after their All-Ireland Final collapse against Limerick? First, credit where it’s due, Limerick were magnificent. Their early-season hunger never faded as they powered from gun to tape, sweeping the League, Munster and the All-Ireland. This is a generational team, one that has delivered immense pride and joy to its people.
But Galway got it so badly wrong. To concede Limerick’s puck-outs and expect a lone full-forward to thrive against that towering defence bordered on tactical surrender. In fairness to Rabbitte, he rattled Limerick at times, but he was never going to carry the entire attack. The bigger mystery was the missing spare man outfield. That supposed advantage became a liability as Limerick completely owned the middle third, dictating the contest from start to finish.
Conceding puck-outs has become one of the modern game’s most frustrating trends. Club coaches across the country are copying a system which has failed for more teams than it has succeeded for. The theory is to shield the defence with an extra man, but at what cost? The attack is starved of possession while midfielders and half-forwards are expected to cover impossible ground like racehorses. Is that really sustainable? Has the era of every player winning his own battle, disappeared?
Have we become so obsessed with systems, zones and sectoral hurling that we’ve forgotten the value of simply beating your man? Hurling is changing, but judging by a disappointing All-Ireland final and an underwhelming championship, not for the better. The Sunday Game panelists have lauded Limerick and rightly so, but to ignore the elephant in the room is a dereliction of duty. This ignoring of the failures of systems and tactics is not what real analysis is about – call it out and highlight the craziness of the notion rather than simply labelling the winners as other worldly. Rant over.
Masters of the House.
The Tipp hurling Masters are looking to make it three-in-a-row when they defend their title against Galway in Athenry on Saturday afternoon. Tipp have already beaten Galway in the round-robin but Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady knows that the final will be a different game and he is hoping to get the most from his charges – just like he did this week from the winning horse he has shares in with former Hurler of the Year Lar Corbett and other. The Killarney victory was royally feted and rightly so. Can Redser and Lar – one of the stars of the Master side – make it a famous double? You wouldn’t put it past him.
Camogie ladies bidding for an All-Ireland spot.
For Tipperary supporters, all roads should lead to FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday evening next as Cork stand in the way of our senior camogie ladies reaching the All-Ireland final. Thurles has already been the venue of a Tipp victory over The Rebels in the Munster campaign this season, but Saturday will be a different prospect and it will take a mighty effort for James Heffernan’s girls to get there.
You can play your part by being there to cheer them on – yes it’s a busy weekend on the club scene too, but the Tipp ladies deserve our support, so let’s get behind them. The game will be curtained-raised by the clash of Galway and Kilkenny at 4:00pm so it is a very tasty little double header.
County Championships kick off.
We are on the cusp of the county championships in Tipperary and what an exciting time it is. This season the club scene has had a chance to breathe following Tipperary’s early departure from the inter county championship, and the result has been a resurgence in the club story. The divisional championships across all grades have been really competitive and have attracted large attendances to the various grounds.
Expect more of the same next weekend when the county scene comes alive and Clubber runs into overdrive as they attempt to get around to all the key matches. It’s like Christmas Eve all over again for hurling enthusiasts.
Of course Loughmore Castleiney are still the standard bearers after their impressive win in the mid final, but following close behind them will be the usual suspects – Nenagh Éire Óg, Kiladangan, Holycross Ballycahill and Clonoulty Rossmore. There will be surprises though and they could be provided by the likes of Drom-Inch, JK Brackens, Borris-Ileigh, Cashel King Cormacs or Moycarkey Borris. It’s all to play for so let’s throw in the ball.
Stakelum in – Cummins out; more to come?.
The last Stakelum to take up a position on the sideline with the Tipperary senior hurlers enjoyed the glory of bringing the Liam MacCarthy Cup back to the Premier County. Conor Stakelum – father of current seniors Conor and Darragh, and camogie star Caoimhe – is a cousin of Aidan Stakelums father Ger. There is real pedigree in the Holycross Ballycahill coach and he has seen a massive rise in profile following a string of standout victories at club, second level and inter-county – Holycross Ballycahill, Thurles CBS and Laois being the beneficiaries of his marvellous hurling insight.
Of course Aidan is also a first cousin of current Tipp captain Ronan Maher, and former Limerick captain and five times All-Ireland winner, Declan Hannon – another first cousin Joey Hannon was a selector with the Limerick team which defeated Tipp in the minor All-Ireland this year. So, hurling is most definitely in the genes between the Stakelum and McCormack lines when it comes to the latest addition to Liam Cahill’s set-up.
Out goes David Herity with our thanks and appreciation for his fine work, as he returns to his native Kilkenny as part of Henry Shefflin’s backroom. Other changes are in the offing too in Liam Cahill’s cabinet but at present the seal of confidentiality remains intact as the finishing touches are applied to the evolution.
Brendan Cummins departs Tipperary’s U20’s amid much speculation that he will be joining forces with the Deise – a pathway to Tipp senior succession already journeyed by the current Premier incumbent. Brendan achieved a lot, including that famous All-Ireland victory last year, but his tenure also brought a fair degree of debate and chatter amongst traditionalists who were not in favour of the style of play adopted by his sides.
Indeed, it is fair to say that there was downright dissatisfaction with the approach in many quarters and it would have been difficult to see him getting the top Tipp job at present were Cahill and co to depart.
The James Woodlock stock though has soared following his string of major successes with the minors and in many a supporters view, he is better placed for ascension to higher office – perhaps even for the 2027 season? For all that, Cummins and his selectors deserve enormous credit for their work on behalf of Tipperary.
They achieved a lot, could have achieved more and gave it their all. They were determined to break the mould and bring fresh thinking to the game in Tipp – it didn’t sit easy with everyone, but then old habits die hard, as they say.
If not Waterford for Cummins – and it could be a personal difficulty for him coming up against his beloved Tipperary – there is always his gig on The Sunday Game where he has all the answers to the queries put to him.