Tipperary hurlers aiming to maintain feelgood factor in the county

Far from the madding crowd that was shoehorned into the TUS Gaelic Grounds for last weekend’s enthralling Munster Senior Hurling final, Tipperary will resume their senior hurling championship campaign this Saturday in what is expected to be the less boisterous and more sedate venue of Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.

Tipp’s preliminary quarter-final against Laois, which begins at 1.45pm, marks their return to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship for the first time since 2023. They may have missed out on a place in the Munster final, but there’s no doubt that manager Liam Cahill will be content to take the scenic route with his emerging team.

After they beat Waterford almost four weeks ago to secure their qualification from the round robin in the province, the panel was given the week off for some rest and recovery, after a successful campaign that had seen them beat Clare and Waterford, lose to Cork and draw with Limerick.

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That left them level with Limerick and Cork on five points. They only missed out on a place in the Munster final on score difference, following that heavy 15-points defeat by Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, a result that was triggered by Darragh McCarthy’s dismissal in the first minute.

One point from their opening two matches meant that their backs were up against the wall in their bid for qualification. However, the team showed great character and resolve to bounce back and defeat All-Ireland champions Clare in Ennis, and Waterford in Thurles.

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Tipp haven’t been seen in action since that 1-30 to 1-21 defeat of Waterford on May 18, but a few of the players have. Darragh McCarthy, Sam O’Farrell and Oisín O’Donoghue all starred for the Under 20 team that beat Kilkenny last Saturday week to win the All-Ireland Championship final.

That meant that the feelgood factor around Tipperary hurling has been maintained, as the senior team continues its preparations for the business end of the championship.

With all due respect to the Leinster team, Tipp will be fully expected to beat Laois, who were defeated by Kildare in last weekend’s Joe McDonagh Cup final.

Playing a team of the calibre of Laois will offer Tipperary the opportunity to reset and steel themselves for what is expected to be a much stiffer task the following weekend, when the winners of Saturday’s tie will face defeated Leinster finalists Galway.

Who knows where the journey will take them for the remainder of the summer. However, their performances to date have ensured that the pride has been restored to Tipperary hurling, with the promise of more to come.

Saturday’s game will be refereed by Dublin official Chris Mooney, and will be broadcast live on GAA+.