Cahill hits out at 'faceless accounts' for online criticism after Tipperary exit
Liam Cahill was proud of his players despite the heavy loss to Limerick on Sunday
Liam Cahill admitted Tipperary “fell short” this season but passionately defended his players in the aftermath of their championship exit, insisting the squad “owe me nothing” after what he described as a difficult and emotionally draining campaign.
Speaking after Sunday’s heavy defeat at the hands of Limerick, Cahill said morale in the camp had inevitably suffered following their elimination after the Clare loss last weekend, but praised the response from his panel during the week.
“They rolled up their sleeves, came into training Tuesday night, soaked up what has come at them and really tried to put their best foot forward,” he said.
“For long periods today, we were really good in patches of our play. Obviously starting the second half we got ripped open, but that first half of hurling, there was a lot to like about us even though we gave away an early goal as well.
“The boys showed great resilience and fought to the bitter end today, which I'm immensely proud of them for.”
Cahill was particularly strong when addressing criticism aimed at the squad online, calling out anonymous social media accounts targeting players.
“At the end of the day, we all have to be really mindful that these players in particular are amateur players and they're getting a fair bit of criticism by a lot of platforms, especially nameless ones which are easy to hide behind,” he said.
“Even some nameless platforms that use the Tipperary logo and use a title like Premier This and Tipperary That and really they're not Tipperary people, they're a joke actually to be honest.”
The Ballingarry man urged supporters to remember the sacrifices involved in committing to inter-county hurling.
“I don't care what they say or write about me, I'm happy enough to know what comes with being the Tipperary manager but just easy on them boys inside because they are our players that we need to look after.”
Cahill acknowledged that a period of transition now lies ahead for the county, but insisted the rebuilding process was already underway since he took charge in 2023.
“We've made some strides along the way, lots of players introduced, got a really good flow to our rhythm and play last year that brought us all the way to the summit,” he said.
He also rejected suggestions that last year’s All-Ireland success somehow came easily.
“All-Ireland medals don't come in lucky bags,” Cahill said.
“Whoever will win the All-Ireland in 2026 will have earned it just like Tipperary earned it in 2025 and Clare the year before and that's just the way it is.”
Despite the disappointing campaign, Cahill pointed to the strong underage structures currently in place within the county, while warning against expecting immediate senior success from emerging players.
“There's huge work being done in Tipperary underage and we have a lot of really good individual players really talented individual hurlers,” he said.
“But when you come into an environment like this, where the physicality is through the roof. It's very difficult to whip a fella out of minor or under 20 and stick him in there today.”
Cahill admitted there will now be difficult conversations and reviews in the weeks ahead.
“There'll be plenty of reviews... I'll have some uncomfortable meetings to have to have with them, and they'll ask the questions that they're entitled to ask.
“We'll do what Tipperary people do, we'll come back again.”