Stiff test awaits Tipperary footballers in bid to reach Munster final

The Tipperary senior footballers are just one game away from a Munster final, but face one more serious challenge before they reach that target.

Philly Ryan’s side will have gained confidence from their opening round win against Waterford but now face a sterner test when they travel to Ennis on Saturday to take on Clare.

The throw-in at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg is at 2pm.

READ NEXT: Large town in Tipperary awaits decision on housing development 

The prize for victory is a huge one – a Munster final showdown against either Kerry or Cork – and that should be enough motivation to spur them on against Clare.

SEE MORE: Tipperary man killed in car crash was going to friend's house at time of accident 

But the challenge is a big one against the Banner County, who will be favourites on their home patch.

Clare enjoyed an impressive league campaign in Division 3, winning five games to finish third behind promoted sides Offaly and Kildare, and beat eventual champions Offaly in their final game. They just failed to win promotion and reach the league final on score difference, finishing on ten points along with Offaly and Kildare.

Tipperary’s league form in a division lower was less spectacular, finishing fifth on five points – those five points secured in their first three games, a draw with Carlow followed by wins over Waterford and Longford. Thereafter their challenge faded with defeats to London, Limerick, Wexford and Wicklow.

So, based on those league statistics, Clare would be fancied to come out on top this week.

However, new boss Philly Ryan is building a side that has restored pride to the Tipperary football jersey following some lean years. Last year’s demoralising defeat to Waterford in the championship was a bitter pill to swallow for Tipp football fans, and the Clonmel Commercials man was brought in to build for the future.

He acknowledges that building is the priority, rather than instant success, and the first significant steps were taken in the league campaign, and the first round championship win over Waterford at Semple Stadium.

Ryan’s team in many ways is indistinguishable from those of recent years. Missing for a variety of reasons – retirement, injury, travel abroad or otherwise unavailable – are Michael Quinlivan, Conor Sweeney, Michael O’Reilly, Kevin Fahey and the three Kennedy brothers from Clonmel, Jack, Colman and Conal.

He still has the experience of the Feehan brothers, Jimmy and Paudie; Luke Boland, Mark Russell and the captain Steven O’Brien, but has not been slow to introduce new blood in the form of players such as his son, Shane Ryan, in goal; Jason Madigan, Ben Comerford, Micheál Freaney, Conor Fahey and Cian Smith.

The blend was working when an opening day league draw in Carlow was followed by a confidence-inspiring win over Longford before an enthusiastic crowd in Clonmel, and then an away win in Waterford. But a surprise home defeat to London began a slide that killed off any promotion hopes.

The first round championship clash at home to Waterford in Semple Stadium was the real litmus test for Ryan’s new team, and they came through on a 1-22 to 1-19 scoreline. But it wasn’t all plain sailing. Tipp led by ten points with fifteen minutes to go but had to survive a spirited Waterford fightback to edge home by just three.

What those final minutes illustrated was the importance of captain Steven O’Brien to the team. He scored 1-8 before his withdrawal, and Waterford’s resurgence coincided with his departure. The Ballina man has a lot of miles on the clock and Ryan has been managing his time on the pitch because of his key role.

The manager will also hope that Commercials’ Sean O’Connor will recover from injury to start against Clare as his impact upfront, alongside O’Brien, will be crucial for Tipperary. However, O’Connor’s Commercials clubmate Cian Smith has settled seamlessly into the attack, with Kilsheelan/Kilcash’s Micheál Freaney, Darragh Brennan (Ballyporeen) and Ben Comerford (Grangemockler/Ballyneale) all vital cogs in the Tipp attack.

At the other end of the field, Clare’s danger men include Eoin Cleary and Keelan Sexton, both of whom return to Peter Keane’s side after a year out.

A former All-Star nominee, Cleary has been one of Clare’s top footballers over the past decade and will pose a major threat to Tipp. Aaron Griffin will also need close attention.

Killenaule’s Paudie Feehan, or Moyle Rovers’ Luke Boland, if he is fit to return from injury, may be handed the task of curtailing Cleary’s influence. Stalwarts Feehan, and brother Jimmy, have been enjoying a fine season and will need another big game on Saturday.

Tipperary fans will also be looking to Aherlow’s Mark Russell for a big display, as well as Cathal Deely (Commercials), either from the start or off the bench, as well as Kieran Costello (Thurles Sarsfields) and Mikey O’Shea (Mullinahone).

It will be a tough test for Tipperary, but the prize at the end of it might just be the motivation needed to pull off a victory.