PREVIEW: Kilkenny challenge will be the biggest test yet for improving Tipperary

Tipperary’s senior hurlers could put one foot into a first National Hurling League final since 2017 this Sunday, if they can beat hosts Kilkenny in round 5 in UPMC Nowlan Park.

Currently sitting atop Division 1A after four games played, Liam Cahill’s men are virtually assured of top division hurling in 2026 and are now looking up towards the prospect of a league decider.

A win for Tipperary on Sunday - coupled with wins for Limerick (vs Galway) and Clare (vs Cork) - would put Tipp into the league decider with a game to spare, but more importantly, it would maintain the current momentum for the team going into championship hurling and mark some tangible progress on recent seasons.

The break week would no doubt have been an enjoyable one for the group, riding the high of defeating Cork in FBD Semple Stadium in round 4, and with competition surely ramping up in training amongst the group with players holding up their hands for selection come championship time, it will have fostered an edge for the group ahead of the clash with the Cats.

Kilkenny will be coming off a loss to Cork in Pairc Uí Chaoimh where they failed to push on in the final ten minutes against the Rebels but they will have taken at least one positive from the game; the return of TJ Reid for his first appearance of the season, coming on late in the second half.

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Kerry import Fionan Mackessy also returned after an injury sustained against Clare in round 1, so the aforementioned pair will be in contention to start from the off here.

Huw Lawlor limped off after 50 minutes with a suspected dead leg so their are doubts over his involvement for the Cats, who sit in fourth place in the table with four points thus far.

Tipperary played a recent challenge game against Dublin with John and Noel McGrath playing full games, and with Sam O’Farrell on the mend along with Conor Stakelum returning from a lay-off, Tipp will have a strong deck to choose from for a game they will be hoping to produce a performance and continue to good start to the year.

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