COLUMN: Parallels with the 2018 U21 success can’t be disregarded ahead of historic senior final

Writing about the Tipperary versus Cork rivalry back in April, Irish Examiner columnist John Coleman wrote in his piece that ‘When it’s Cork v Tipp, best to expect the unexpected,’ and that will be the great white hope that Tipperary supporters will be clinging to heading up the M7 on Sunday morning.

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In the article, he brilliantly delved into some of the biggest turnarounds in the age-old rivalry between the two Munster giants, some of the greatest games ever, going back decades, re-telling the stories of the great games of old, and the exploits of some of the most revered legends to have ever played the game.

There’s been many a manager that has looked to history to try and give players that extra percentage of belief going into big games, particularly given the success Tipperary and Cork have had in the All-Ireland championships, but Liam Cahill will not need to trawl through the record books to find motivation or correlation over what we all hope will come to pass on Sunday afternoon.

The 2018 U21 Munster and All-Ireland championship meetings between the counties seem to be creating a great sense of déjà vu amongst Tipperary supporters, and while Cork folk may well roll their eyes at the mention of this, there are too many aspects aligning that should give Tipperary hope, and Cork great concern.

A star-studded Cork team that includes current senior stars like Darragh Fitzgibbon, Tim O’Mahony, Niall O’Leary, Robbie O’Flynn, Shane Kingston, Ger Mellerick, Mark Coleman, Jack O’Connor, and Declan Dalton completely outclassed Liam Cahill’s Tipperary side in the Munster U21 final in July of that year, with a late Shane Neville goal for Tipperary a mere consolation in a hammering, 2-23 to 1-13 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Tipperary managed to re-group after that dismal loss by beating Galway a month later in the All-Ireland semi-final to set up a rematch with the Rebels in the decider in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, but nobody, even supporters within Tipperary, gave Liam Cahill’s team any chance of upsetting the Cork juggernaut in the lead up to the game.

You can see where I’m going with this one!

“You can put all the plaudits on management, but really it’s down to players. They worked their socks off all over the field – (it was) incredible to pick themselves up after the Munster Final. All credit to the players.

“They worked hard, they communicated well, and they had to, because that Cork team will cut you open with pace very quickly. We had to have our wits about us, and we showed no panic.

“I said during the week that we were coming into the final with no expectation, and for a Tipperary team coming into an All-Ireland Final with no pressure, that just made the job a little easier,” Liam Cahill said after that U21 success.

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Jake Morris, Eoghan Connolly, Conor Stakelum, Brian McGrath and Craig Morgan were all involved in that victory that gave Tipperary a tenth All-Ireland title at the grade, and now, with Liam Cahill also at the helm, they are involved in a contest that is throwing up massive echoes of that unlikely success.

Granted, a lot of water has passed under the bridge in the meantime, but it is still an interesting pretext for what is coming down the track on Sunday.

There can be no denying that - like in 2018 - Tipperary are heavy underdogs going into this final, and that is simply on the basis of the evidence that has flashed before our eyes in the last two clashes between the sides.

That day in Limerick was something else, much due to the fact of how unexpected it was.

The conditions on the day were suitable for Tipp, who really drove into the Cork pace and system, with slick underfoot conditions and a soapbar-like sliotar throughout, it threw doubt into the Cork psyche, and it will require something similar on Sunday.

One part of that scenario looks likely to come to pass with the forecast for Sunday predicting rain during the match, and that will suit Tipperary if the workrate of previous championship games comes to the fore on the day again.

Cork may come in as the form team, the favourites, the side with momentum. But as 2018 showed, and as so many battles before have proven, that has never meant much when these two meet with everything on the line.

If the rain falls, if the fight comes, and if that old Tipperary spirit stirs again — then don’t be surprised if we’re talking about one of the great days for Tipperary hurling.

Liam Cahill and his players won’t need to be told what’s at stake. They know. They’ve been here before; maybe not in this exact scenario, but in the trenches of expectation, reputation and redemption.

Matches in this year’s championship have made fools of even the most astute pundits and students of the game, but regardless of what happens in Croke Park on Sunday, Tipperary won’t die wondering, and the players have shown that throughout, and judging by the exploits of the 2018 U21 members, it is something that Liam Cahill is well able to instill in players, regardless of form or expectation.

This rivalry will add a new and exciting chapter to its exciting story. This is hurling at its rawest rivalry, redemption, and the promise of glory for one of these teams, who will take one step closer to Kilkenny in the roll of honour.

Now it’s over to the players to write the ending, and let’s all hope it has a distinctive Tipperary twist in the tale!