Clare's generosity helps Tipperary to make winning start in Munster Hurling Championship

Westside brought to you in association with AAL 

We often use the dancing metaphor when referencing important games at the Clare capital. We journey past “The Walls of Limerick” and on to “The Siege of Ennis”. Trad music, song and dance feature prominently in Banner culture.

They’re not bad at hurling either. Last year they came to Thurles and doled out a sound trimming to Tipperary. There was apprehension then as we made the trip on Sunday last across the Shannon. Their published line out looked solid and seasoned, except for a few.

What we hadn’t bargained for was their generosity. Three gifted goals in the first half were a major part of the narrative, as Tipperary got their Munster campaign off to the perfect launch.

The first goal was of a type that often deceives goalie and defence. Jason Forde’s lofted sideline “cut” floated teasingly over the heads of Conor Cleary and John McGrath before bouncing to the net. Goalie, Eamonn Foudy, looked to his full back as much as to say why didn’t you cut that out.

It was a score that sat snugly beside opening points from Jake Morris, Noel McGrath and Brian McGrath. Tipp were up and running.

This half, though, would see-saw and within eight minutes of Tipperary’s perfect start, Clare were back level after hitting six points on the spin.

Tipp’s second goal restored the account to profit and again it was a defensive mishap. This time the goalie dilly-dallied in possession, allowing Jake Morris to plunder and shoot home to an unguarded net.

The goalie’s nightmare continued for our third major. A short puckout to John Conlon was slightly over-cooked. The centre back failed to control and Jason Forde flicked the loose ball into the path of Jake Morris. The Nenagh man had work to do but careered through impressively, a little shimmy taking him past Paul Flanagan, before dispatching a bouncer to the net.

Morris really is a supreme assassin. If play opens up for him there’s no better finisher in the game. At its height Tipp were nine-up and cruising but there was a kickback from Clare before the interval and therein lies a cautionary note for Tipperary.

Clare hit two goals in the final minutes of the half, Mark Rodgers the goal-getter on both counts. The first was a straight fetch over Michael Breen, followed by a wriggle, turn and finish to the corner of the net. Tipperary had three defenders in the vicinity, so it was a bad one to concede.

In a sense the second was even worse. Tony Kelly, labouring in the shadow of Cathal Barrett all day, got possession around midfield. He was well held up but still managed to give a little stick pass to Mark Rodgers. The Clare man was alone in space and careered in to deliver a one-two with Aidan McCarthy before finding the net from close range. Tipperary’s defence had been unlocked for a second time.

It might even have been worse before the break. Another Clare raid from the right corner broke our defensive shield and only Barry Hogan stood between Aidan McCarthy and another goal. It was a crucial save, which meant we kept five of our lead going to the dressing rooms.

One had mixed feelings at half-time. We’d competed well, Jake Morris was on fire and Clare at times were close to being overwhelmed. But always there was that little nagging unease about our defensive vulnerabilities.

The third quarter was edgy but then another major break fell Tipperary’s way. Once again it was Morris on the prowl, knifing through the Clare defence and drawing David McInerney into the pull down. Forde dispatched the penalty with venom and McInerney was banished to the sin bin for ten minutes.

The game hovered around that five-or-six-point margin for much of the second half. Clare wides hindered their progress, with Tipperary more economical. Aidan McCarthy was the Banner’s go-to man, though Shane O’Donnell had been a major threat in the first half. Tony Kelly’s quietness was a big plus.

All over, Tipperary’s workrate couldn’t be faulted. We were hunting in packs, showing courage and tenacity. Bryan O’Mara was standing out in defence, one overhead catch and that flick away from Shane O’Donnell were highlight items. Ronan was hurling a lot of ball too, though caught for pace at times, and Johnny Ryan and Brian McGrath were fiercely tenacious.

Upfield Gearoid O’Connor hit a few valuable points, as did Noel McGrath with trademark scores. John McGrath had his moments too and Jason Forde hit 2-6, though none from open play. Alan Tynan was replaced after a useful input in the first half. Seamus Kennedy was heavily involved throughout.

As if to highlight the importance of panel depth, Tipperary’s replacements made significant contributions to seeing out this game. Sean Ryan came in and with his first touch landed our fifth goal, Conor Stakelum and Mark Kehoe centrally involved in the build-up. Conor Bowe too got on the score card.

All the time, though, we still remained vulnerable at the back, the threat of Clare goals ever-present, which is a worry. When you have a five/six-point lead into the final phase of a game you need to kill the match. That means closing the defensive door – ours remained open.

Aaron Shanagher came on and caught a high one behind Michael Breen, who was forced into the foul. Should it have been a penalty and black card? I thought so at first but looking back at the video of the incident the referee got it right. And here’s where the rule is an ass.

I recall highlighting this at the time the cynical foul rule was introduced. The rule covers such offences as pulling an opponent down, tripping or striking with the hurley. If you simply grab and hold an opponent, as Breen did, the rule doesn’t apply. A normal free and yellow card was the correct punishment.

Anyway, our goal line had other escapes, such as the O’Mara flick as mentioned and the Aidan McCarthy near-miss, which was eventually deemed to be wide. We lived dangerously, Clare could easily have had five or six goals and then the complexion of things would have been entirely different.

No matter. In the end it was a precious, invaluable win, one to be applauded while acknowledging the specific circumstances of giveaway goals from Clare and vulnerability at our defensive end. Improvement is needed.

Elsewhere during the week, the Under 20s pulled off a badly-needed win over Limerick, where Sean Kenneally was the star turn. His goal was as good as you’ll ever see. Earlier, the minors were luckless when going out to Limerick. 

P.S. Delighted to be at the Talbot Hotel, Clonmel, on Saturday last for Cashel Community School’s celebration of their Harty Cup heroes. Past pupil, Ryan O’Dwyer, presented the medals. It was a fitting acknowledgment of a fantastic achievement by the team. Well done to Brendan Ryan and all involved.

P.P.S. Carrick Swan club will be in celebratory mood this weekend also when they officially unveil their spanking new facility.
GAA President, Larry McCarthy, will perform the opening of a development that cost over one million euro. It’s a proud moment for a progressive club. Well done to Sean O’Shea and all concerned.