REACTION: Tipperary boss 'delighted' with his players application after comeback victory

Tipperary manager Liam Cahill saw his charges turn an eight-point deficit into a thrilling one-point win over all-Ireland champions Clare in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A final round at Semple Stadium on Saturday evening. 

Looking ahead to the final against Cork, he deems it “brilliant preparation for the championship.”

Beaten All-Ireland finalists last year, Cork’s lack of success at the national level in league or championship is being sorely felt by the Lee, but Suirside, a national senior trophy would be very welcome also, though both will look to the bigger prizes later in the year, the Munster and All-Ireland titles, as the ultimate objective.

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Liam Cahill’s view – Both sides are craving silverware. It is going to be a massive game for both teams. I’d say Cork are a bit ahead of us at this stage, being in the All-Ireland final last year, and there is an urgency in them for silverware. 

A national title is on offer for both counties and it will be a brilliant preparation for the championship.

The Ballingarry man was “delighted” not just win the win over Clare, but with how it was achieved. Eight points down well into the second half, Tipperary showed great spirit and determination to reel in The Banner boys and record a thrilling win with an injury time point.

“The game was stop, start, in the first half and we struggled to get into a flow. It came to life in the second half but we had left ourselves with a lot to do. What was really encouraging though was the way they team stuck to the task. 

“Their work rate was phenomenal and we had a big impact off the bench. We made changes for tonight and lads are putting their hands up, and that is the kind of quality we are trying to build in the group. I was really happy to get this result”, he said.

The manager added that he was seeking to achieve consistency in the performances and was loud in his paise of the players in his squad. 

“It is important for these lads that they are playing for Tipperary and nobody knows where that will go. It is a joy to be working with them with the way they are applying themselves”, he said.

An issue for Tipperary right now in the run-up to the league final and the start of the Munster championship against Limerick in Semple Stadium on April 19th is the overlap for players in the panel who are central to the county’s U20 squad also. 

The U20 championship began this week against Limerick and, with a round-robin system in force, games will come thick and fast. That situation ruled out some players for selection against Clare, including Toomevara’s Darren McCarthy, whose form has thrilled Tipp fans since his elevation to the senior squad.

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Liam Cahill recognises the difficulties this presents for both himself and U20 manager, Brendan Cummins who is seeking to build on the Munster under20 title won last year. “It is going to take a bit of managing to cope with. 

“The flagship team must take priority but we will be doing our best to manage the workload for these lads and to have them available whenever we can”, he said.