The buzz is back for Tipp supporters as a Munster final place is on the horizon

As the dust settles after a titanic battle in Thurles last Sunday both ships are still afloat and sailing on.
What an occasion it was. Finally, after many attempts, Tipperary matched up to Limerick physically and on the scoreboard.
The game was exciting and tense.

Supporters got a real buzz out of the day. In a way it feels similar to when an all-conquering Kilkenny ruled the roost back in the day and Tipperary knocked them off their perch after much graft in 2010.

Limerick are still the top side but they are creaking from all the ferocity directed at them in the championship. They aren’t playing with near the same fluency as over the last three years and Tipperary nearly toppled them this time. The occasion and the fine weather beforehand matched the anticipation.

Dillon Quirke, who hurled in the same fixture last year, was remembered as Declan Hannon presented Noel McGrath with a jersey before the match and while it would have been fantastic to see the teams wear the Dillon Quirke Foundation jerseys on the day, you can be sure his image is hoisted in the dressing room. The new jersey, which players weren’t allowed to wear, is the new “must have” for supporters. It is sure to gain traction as the summer goes on.

As a spectacle the game highlighted the frantic nature of the modern game and of course both sides had chances to win it. John McGrath showed real nerve to level a match that had plenty of talking points such as when Bonner Maher was pulled up for a throw ball when a teammate was bearing down on goal or when Gearoid Hegarty’s shot was blazed wide as he was bearing down on goal.

Had it been on target, you might still have backed Rhys Shelly to save it. The Moycarkey Borris keeper stepped up to the mark and performed superbly on the biggest of stages.

Pinpoint puckouts offer Tipperary another layer of armoury going forward in the championship. The experienced players performed too. Seamie Callanan returned to great applause and was a menace to the Limerick full back line who are without Sean Finn for the season.

Bonner Maher hurled his socks off. Tackling and strength wise, Bonner is immense.

The roar went up in the Stadium during the second half when he dispossessed a Limerick defender and started another Tipperary attack. That heart and honesty to keep going is really appreciated by the supporters.

Then there was Noel. What can you say only he is a hurling genius. His vision is superb and one ball, over the heads of other players and into the path of a teammate left the crowd in awe of his skills and how he sees the game. Like Zinedine Zidane or Johan Cruyff when they were playing soccer, he has an ability to see a few seconds ahead of everyone else and he has the skill to do the right thing.

He nearly always plays the right ball and he is usually in the right place at the right time. Not only that, his leadership skills are outstanding. He was constantly moving and thinking and talking to teammates.

He found the room to dictate play again and so far this year he is the best Tipperary player across the championship. The only other players in the game currently that can do what he can are Cian Lynch and TJ Reid. Perhaps Kyle Hayes too. He was good for Limerick on Sunday but too many didn’t get near the top level for them.

Cian Lynch isn’t near fit yet he was troublesome for Tipp at times. Overall though Limerick, as competitive as they were, don’t look as boundless or as fierce as before.

They are still there in the championship though and John Kiely will be glad their progression to the All-Ireland series is in their own hands when they take on Cork next weekend. Tipperary are back in Thurles against Waterford, who play their third match of the round robin at the venue next Sunday.

They have no home venue for championship games in their own county, as their main field is under redevelopment, and Waterford supporters have stayed away in their droves. The Waterford supporters were outnumbered roughly four to one by Clare supporters when they met recently in Tom Semple’s Field.

What a tough year it has been for Waterford hurling followers who have travelled to date, as the county teams appear to be in freefall. Beaten in all minor, Under 20 and senior games this year must set alarm bells going in the county.

They have lost all 11 hurling games played across the grades this year. Such a massive fall from grace for a team that were in the All-Ireland final a couple of years ago. Their club championships are dominated at all grades by Ballygunner and the county teams just can’t seem to get the balance right.

The Déise senior hurlers arrive at Thurles next Sunday hoping to buck the trend and while it will definitely be their last game in the province this year, the question remains will they show up and play with pride or wilt quickly and meekly fall further.
It is a tough encounter for the players who surely must be feeling down after losing three on the trot this campaign.
The Tipp team by comparison, are in the driving seat.

Liam Cahill and Davy Ftzgerald exchanged words after the league meeting in spring time but the sides have gone in opposite directions since. Austin Gleeson still hasn’t settled in a particular position. They have lost key players as the pivotal centre back Tadhg De Burca and key forward Micheal Kiely are both out through injury.

The forwards couldn’t muster the points or goals against Clare and the tactics employed on the day meant the star forward Dessie Hutchinson was roving out the field. As the second half wore on Tony Kelly went to town and Waterford were a beaten docket once more.

It is a big ask of Waterford this weekend and Tipperary will be red hot favourites to win and secure a place in the Munster final against Clare. What an exciting time for Tipperary supporters with a new team on the rise.

Jake Morris, Gearoid O’Connor, Bryan O’Mara and Conor Stakelum have all thrived under Liam Cahill and Mikey Bevan’s management. Noel McGrath is showing all players the way and Tipperary look to have purpose and strength. All to play for again. Get along to the next big summer Sunday of hurling, it has been a feast so far.