Tipp ready for action in crunch match-up with near neighbours Offaly

The Tipperary senior hurlers have used their time to recover and prepare to be at their best against Offaly in the All-Ireland senior hurling championship game this weekend.

Tipperary travel to Tullamore to take on an Offaly team pipped by Carlow in their last match which was the Joe McDonagh cup final. Liam Cahill has used the three weeks since Waterford beat Tipperary in the Munster championship round robin series to prepare for this Saturday’s game. A visit to Fota Island to regroup and work on game plans was a useful part of preparations.

It is hoped that Jason Forde will be close to a return to full fitness after his hamstring injury against Cork. Cathal Barrett is expected to return to the full back line after the blow he took against Waterford and the tigerish cornerback will be focused on the next task at hand.

Another boost was the return to action of Niall O’Meara who offers a variety of skills to the team be it in defence or attack. Loughmore sharpshooter John McGrath played a recent challenge game for Tipperary against Dublin however his younger brother Brian is set for a spell on the sidelines after he punctured his lung against Waterford. He is improving but healing takes time.

It remains to be seen if Gearoid O’Connor recovers in time for the game after picking up a knock the last time out .
Tipperary haven’t met Offaly much in the championship but the recent resurgence at minor and Under 20 level is proof that the their focus is back on success after a couple of decades in the doldrums.

Johnny Kelly is the Offaly senior hurling manager and he will be ready to spring a surprise or two this weekend. The Portumna native was the key behind Borris Ileighs drive to county and Munster success in recent times. Indeed they came close to Ballyhale Shamrocks back in early 2020, in the All-Ireland club final.

Johnny was part of Michael Fennellys backroom team in Offaly before taking over as the senior hurling manager. His knowledge of Tipperary club hurling is deep and he brought Borris Ileigh pair Martin and Brendan Maher into his backroom team, which offers another layer of intrigue to the game.

Offaly will look to force Tipperary into a dogfight next Saturday. They will be disappointed at their loss to Carlow in the recent Joe McDonagh cup final and see this game as a chance to play one of the top teams.

Cillian Kiely and Eoghan Cahill are two players that will take close watching and Tipperary will need to be focused to ensure they progress. The minor and Under 20 teams have led the way for Offaly and this senior side have proved themselves a spirited outfit.

Some of the Under 20 players that hurled for Offaly in Thurles against Cork recently are expected to play a part too as they look to cause a big surprise and take a giant leap in the hurling world. Tipperary will be red hot favourites to beat Offaly at the bookies, but we all know anything can happen in a game of hurling.

The prize for the winner next Saturday is a jolt at beaten Leinster finalists Galway the following weekend in the All-Ireland quarter final. The good start to this year’s Munster campaign offered momentum to build on and now with the season reaching the knockout stage every game becomes more intense.

Liam Cahill had three weeks to prepare for this game and once more the focus will be on performance and on sharpness in front of goals. Throw in at Glenisk O’Connor Park is on Saturday afternoon at 4pm.