It’s coming to decision-time approaching National League, says Tipperary boss Liam Cahill

While admitting that he was "a little disappointed" that his team hadn't won Saturday's Munster Hurling League match against Waterford in Fethard, which ended in a draw, Tipperary hurling manager Liam Cahill said that ultimately it was a preparation game for players "trying to get a bit of game time and work into the legs leading into the National League".

He said the fact they didn't win meant that they would have "to plan on our feet now and start thinking about the eventuality of not being in a Munster League final, and have alternatives lined up to make sure we’re in as good a shape as possible leading into the first round of the National League (Tipp will face Galway at 7pm on Saturday January 24 at FBD Semple Stadium)".

Meanwhile, Waterford play Kerry in the Munster League in Dungarvan on this Wednesday, January 7, while Tipp take on Kerry at Austin Stack Park in Tralee at 1pm next Sunday, January 11. 

READ NEXT: Tipperary and Waterford share the points in opening game of the year

"The whole objective is trying to get matches into players. Credit to Fethard Town Park here today for being able to host the game at very short notice. We’re really grateful for that. In fairness to Clonmel Sportsfield, they did all in their power to make the game happen, but unfortunately the elements imputed big time in relation to that, with the frost not clearing in time. 

"It’s all about getting game time into fellows. It’s that time of the year, it’s coming to decision-time leading into the National League, where we have to tighten up our panel and tighten up our numbers. It just makes my job and the management team’s job that little bit more difficult over the next fortnight to three weeks before the start of the National League, to pin down a panel that we’re bringing forward with us into the National League".

READ NEXT: Here are the key dates in Tipperary's National Hurling and Football League campaigns 

Reflecting on the game, he said "We made quite a number of changes there at half-time and through the second half. It’s always leaving you that little bit open for your flow to disappear when that happens, and that's not down to a lack of effort from the players, it’s just that when you change personnel mid stream in the game, it can have its effect. I think that’s what happened us tonight, we introduced a lot of different personnel that allowed Waterford to get a foothold on it midway through the second half.

"Credit to Waterford on the night, they deserved to get something from the game. They looked really fit and tenacious, and looked really strong in the tackle, and looked like a team that has a lot of work done, so fair play to them".

With Alan Tynan departing the game early in the second half, having picked up a shoulder injury, the Tipp manager said "it’s a bit early to tell yet but he looked to be in quite a bit of pain there, hopefully that’s not too bad".

Looking at the overall picture, he said "There are still a couple of more fellows there that deserve and want a bit of proper competitive action, and we'll do our best to give them every opportunity to stake a claim on the panel for the start of the National League. 

"But the month of January is creeping away on us, it is early in January but it is coming at us fairly quickly with the last weekend in January being the start of the National League, so we’ve a bit of work to do to get our house in order leading into that".