REACTION: Cahill concedes league final likely beyond Tipperary after Limerick drubbing

By Michael Dundon

Tipperary’s fifteen-point drubbing by Limerick in the Allianz National Hurling League round four on Saturday at Semple Stadium, their second loss in four games, prompted a disappointed Liam Cahill to acknowledge that a place in this year’s final is probably beyond his charges.

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Tipperary have shipped some heavy beatings from Limerick in recent years under John Kiely’s watch, but this was up there with the most gut-wrenching due to the greater expectations now in the Premier County after last year’s All-Ireland success.

On a dismal, rain-drenched February evening, Limerick added to the misery for Tipperary, who for the second successive game finished with fourteen players – Willie Connors being red-carded at the start of the second half for a loose challenge.

By then, however, with the home side trailing 0-7 to 0-19 at half-time, the destination of the round four points was decided.

The Kiladangan man’s dismissal did not greatly change things as Limerick, playing with championship intensity and pace, dominated in all quarters, racing clear from the start and showing a sharp reaction to their third-round shock defeat by Waterford.

Tipp had two goal chances that might have ignited a rally but yielded nothing in the first half, Sean Kenneally hitting the woodwork in the eleventh minute as Tipp, seven points adrift, sought to open their account, and Darragh Stakelum’s effort being charged down just before the break. Darragh McCarthy sent a penalty effort whizzing wide of the post – definitely a night to forget for Tipperary.

Manager Liam Cahill did not hide his disappointment afterwards. “In any of these big games, you have to be out of the traps early. We fell behind from the start, seven points down after ten minutes, and we were left chasing the game from then on.

We had prepared well and trained well during the week, but we were out-fought all through the first half. We never got a foothold in the game. We had a couple of missed goal chances and a missed penalty. They all added up to the tone of the evening for us,” he said.

He added, “We did compete more aggressively in the second half, but then we were down to fourteen men. I did not see the red card incident (Willie Connors’ sending off), but the referee was close to the action and would have a better view, so I cannot comment.”

The Ballingarry man said that every time Tipp play in Thurles, they want to win. “There was a big Tipp crowd in, and I am disappointed for them that it was so one-sided. We have to give credit to Limerick, though. Any thoughts of them being gone away are well off the mark.”

The manager acknowledged that Tipperary’s next game, away to Waterford on March 8th, “is a huge game for us. Getting to the league final is now probably beyond us, but we have been in this position before, so we have to roll up our sleeves and go at it again.”

Positives – Liam Cahill commended the performance of veteran Noel McGrath, noted the progress of Cathal O'Reilly and Darragh Stakelum, and added that Keith Ryan did well on his debut when introduced.

But next up is Waterford in Waterford on March 8th – a Déise team buoyed by a rousing win over Limerick in their last game. If Tipp suffer another defeat, thoughts of relegation begin to form, despite the two initial wins over Galway and Offaly.

Expect some absentees to return to halt the slide. It may only be the league and February – but results are important in setting the focus for the bigger things ahead.

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