Brendan Cummins hails Tipperary's bravery in emphatic U20 All-Ireland final triumph

Brendan Cummins praised Tipperary’s bold decision-making after they opted to face into a strong wind during the first half of their All-Ireland U20 final victory.

READ NEXT: CHAMPIONS: Tipperary crowned All-Ireland U20 champions after defeat of Kilkenny!

Rather than using the elements to their advantage early on, Tipp backed themselves to handle the conditions—and it paid off. They led 0-10 to 0-8 at the break and then surged clear with three goals in the second half, finishing with a convincing nine-point win over Kilkenny at Nowlan Park.

“I was delighted to see them express themselves and show the bravery in the first half that we needed,” said Cummins.

He explained that embracing the wind early was part of a bigger tactical picture, banking on the opportunity to strike harder in the second period.

“We knew if we were brave on the ball, especially the way the wind was, opportunity would come in the second half. Thankfully, that's the way it panned out.

“I always like playing against the breeze in the first half. It forces the team to play. You have to move the ball, and you have to be brave right from the start.”

Cummins commended the composure of his defenders for executing that plan under pressure.

“We backed the lads that they'd be able to do that. Certainly, Halla (Aaron O’Halloran), Podge (O’Dwyer), and (Cathal O’) Reilly, the boys at the back, moved the ball around lovely, and they didn't bring it into contact too much.

“The turnovers and the tackle count was always going to be the key. Hurling is just nearly a game of counter-attack. Teams are so good and so well set up that to take it off them and go the other direction is how you create opportunity.

“The lads got that and, in fairness to them all year, we've been able to do it. Thankfully, we got the rewards again today for it.”

One of the standout performances came from Paddy McCormack, who netted two goals and a point in the second half. Having missed the previous year’s final against Offaly due to injury, he seized his chance this time.

“He was a bit frustrated at half-time,” Cummins admitted. “There was no need because he was going really well.

“It was hard. That breeze up there was really strong. At half-time, we just thought the opportunity would come for him and Oisín (O’Donoghue) inside.

“Thankfully, when they got it, there's nobody else in the world I'd want coming through like that only Paddy McCormack, and he just did the job. He was brilliant.”

While winning trophies is a welcome bonus, Cummins emphasized that player development remains the ultimate goal for him and his management team.

“Winning is fine, but the main thing for me is to try to develop the players and get them ready.

“You could win an All-Ireland and you could end up then not having as many getting through to the senior set up. So the priority is to get them ready to play senior.

“If we win along the way like today, I think that fast-tracks the progress because of confidence, there is no doubt about that.

“So the most satisfying thing for me is the number of players that we're trying to get through to the senior panel to Liam Cahill in the next couple of years. That's the mission.”

ALSO READ: IN PICTURES: Scenes as Tipperary U20s celebrate their brilliant All-Ireland win over Kilkenny