Town End column: Knockout time of year is here so soon for Tipp championship teams

A feast of Gaelic games action is upon us these last few weeks with more to arrive. As with every year, some teams shine, some falter. The flagship teams took to the field last weekend with the senior hurlers recording a fantastic win over Clare in an eight goal thriller.

 Cathal Barrett kept Tony Kelly close by and denied the Ballyea hurler any chance to stamp his authority on the game. Up top Jake Morris showed his class to strike 2-4 as Tipperary set themselves up nicely for a tilt at Cork next. It is all to play for in hurling for all sides yet. Clare must now play Limerick next weekend in a must-win game.

Waterford, narrowly beaten by Limerick in Thurles, travel this weekend to Cork before Tipp go Leeside a week later. Plenty of drama lies ahead but if Clare lose to Limerick they will be on the ropes. Liam Cahill will watch Waterford and Cork closely to check patterns of play and who is in form.

The hurling is warming up but the provincial ambitions are over for the footballers. Tipp were defensive and nervous  on Saturday in  Killarney. The stand was packed 45 minutes before throw-in as the home supporters took up central positions. It was a David and Goliath type fixture with Jack O’Connor eager to get the win and move on to the provincial final.

Munster hurling is so competitive, Munster football is not. Kerry were class to watch. They play with speed and panache and drilling runs paid off with a swarm  of scores from all angles. Afterwards, despite hitting 0-25, Jack O’Connor said he was disappointed they didn’t get goals and you have to wonder about the competitiveness of the competition when Kerry are in such form. November 2020 and Tipperary winning the provincial final seems a long way off when you see the movement and pace of the Kerry players up close and yet they never got near top gear.

David Clifford was held somewhat by a packed Tipp defence but the home side shot points from all around the field  and now play Clare in the provincial final. Kerry weren’t troubled at all by David Power’s side but some aspects of Tipperary play gave encouragement for games that may be on the horizon against teams like Meath or Waterford in the Tailteann cup. The long ball worked to some degree in Killarney.

Backs under pressure kicked in the vicinity of Steven O’Brien and he was alert and sharp, revelling in the captaincy in Conor Sweeney’s absence. O’Brien forged forward and laid off the ball as well as winning frees. The other Tipp forwards  scoring rate was low though, and ultimately 0-5 wasn’t going to get near Kerry. Mark Russell is a towering midfielder so his catch and kick style will have to be utilised in the next competition.

Keith Ryan and Jack Kennedy are more natural in the half back and midfield area but both are excellent footballers and are capable of driving forward to kick scores. Ultimately, Tipp will need to be more ambitious and forwards will need to step up on the scoresheet. The glory era when Michael Quinlivan and Conor Sweeney were certain to hit nine or ten points between them (and a couple of goals) is gone.

Being aggressive going forward and creating more scoring opportunities is a must if this side is going to leave any mark at all on the year. Losing Conor Sweeney to a season-ending knee injury in the first match of the League extinguished whatever candle was lighting for Tipp in the league and provincial championship, but they are capable of winning this B competition.
A good run is necessary to restore  some pride in the senior football team. 

 The Tailteann Cup is new but it is high profile and the only route to keeping  the season alive. The footballers stayed over in Killarney after the game on Saturday and when leaving that kingdom on Sunday morning, the Tailteann Cup had to take centre stage. The draw for the cup is on the May Bank Holiday weekend and teams are guaranteed three games against other sides knocked out of the Sam Maguire race. 

It will be back to playing Division 3 and 4 teams predominately so hopes must be raised. Last year was a knockout format and Carlow beat a hollow Tipperary side in the first match. David Power’s team needs to ignite now  and prove there is ambition stored up for the journey ahead. Dr. Morris Park is where it all begins again for them.

The amount of teams working in there weekly is high but ultimately results dictate seasons. Brendan Cummins was relieved after his Under 20 hurling side escaped against a rampant Limerick in the second half of their game last week at the stadium.
Sean Kenneally hurled well again and  the team showed real character to stem the tide as Limerick stormed back into the game in the second half.

The team took on a more direct style of hurling than had been seen in earlier championship games away to Clare and Cork. The briskness of delivery suited the forwards who were full of skill and able to make use of a yard of space. Tipperary play Waterford this Friday evening knowing a win will book them a place in the knockout stages.

 One benefit the Under 20 hurling management  have as the season wears on, is knowing that they won’t lose any players to the senior team. No Under 20 hurlers are part of Liam Cahill’s panel while, for example, eight Clare Under 20 hurlers are part of Brian Lohan’s panel. If an Under 20 sees senior action they aren’t eligible to play again at their own age group. Cork have players on the senior panel, Limerick too and Waterford also. Should Tipp stay in the hunt they will remain strong.

James Woodlock’s minor hurlers are out of the championship this year, the Tipp minor footballers are on a roll. Good wins against Waterford and Limerick set them up nicely for a tilt at Clare and no matter the result it has been a really good year for the Tipp minor footballers.

 So it is all to play for again over the coming weeks for many teams in the county as the season begins to hit a key part. The next month decides fortunes for the county teams in 2023. Knockout matches heighten the intensity levels for supporters and that time is here already.