REACTION: Cahill delighted to able to play part in Dillon Quirke Foundation match

A fitting occasion to remember Dillon Quirke, the crowd and the new jerseys for the occasion all played into the narrative that a great game was in store during the challenge match between Tipperary and Kilkenny in FBD Semple Stadium last Sunday.
It proved a memorable occasion which was touched on by Tipperary manager Liam Cahill after the game.

“A great workout for both sides, I’d say Kilkenny came with a little bit more established players in the starting fifteen from the off than ourselves and they got a foothold early in the game in the first half and it was difficult to peg them back but it was a good workout for ourselves and we were delighted to be part of a great occasion.”

The memory of Dillon Quirke was to the forefront of everyone in Thurles on the day.

“Dillon and I go back a long long time from his juvenile days,” Cahill recalled.

“We’ve great memories here of Dillon and it was just a great occasion today. Just flicking through that programme in the dressing room and to see all the photographs - it was a tough day to say the least.”

On the game itself Cahill said the Kilkenny goals made the difference.

“Goals win matches they say. We created a few chances as well even though we didn’t capitalise, so that was a positive from us even though we didn’t convert it on the scoresheet.”

The Cats established an early lead and didn’t allow Tipperary into the game in the first half. Liam said Tipp improved as the game rolled on, he added: “Every time Kilkenny hit us for a big score it was through unforced errors or a handling issue or a bad decision from us further up the field and they seemed to hurt us.

“That was basically it, I still think it was 24 scores to 25, I know they had the four goals which was obviously the key to winning the game.”

Cahill admitted it has been tough to lose such seasoned campaigners as Cathal Barrett and Niall O’Meara for a number of weeks as well as JK Brackens Paddy Cadell, who will miss the entire inter-county campaign due to a cruciate knee injury picked up in the league fixture on February 12.

The Ballingarry native said his panel will be tested to the full now.

“It’s hard to lose any player but Paddy in particular was training exceptionally hard and was in great shape.

“You could live with a six-week hamstring or a broken bone that might take six weeks but when it’s as severe as a cruciate you’re into a longer period and it looks almost now like Paddy will struggle to be back before the inter-county season finishes.

“Cathal again is going to be working really hard to get back, it’s a fracture injury and it will take a little time for it to set back properly but once it does no better man than Cathal to get back.

“We’re just after getting a real bad run of it of late, I suppose Nowlan Park was an expensive win in a lot of ways but we have a good strong competitive panel.

“A few lads put up their hand again today and it was great to have the game here in Semple Stadium in front of a big crowd to test fellas because they come training with me, Mikey and the lads every night inside at Dr Morris Park and they train really hard for days like today and today we were able to replicate what they meet at National Hurling League level going into the championship or as near as possible.

“We have Dublin next week now and after that all managers will be starting to put a shape on their team and have one eye on the championship,” he finished.