Minor hurlers flying the flag for Tipperary going into All-Ireland semi-final
Tipperary will face Cork in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship semi-final on Saturday
As Tipp manager James Woodlock fine-tunes preparations for the All-Ireland minor hurling quarter-final against Cork in Limerick this Saturday, he is happy with his team’s readiness for the encounter but is emphatic: Tipp will have to be much better than they were in the Munster championship.
Cork were most people’s fancy for the provincial championship, speculation based on their record in underage competition, and while Tipperary turned them over 2-17 to 0-16 when they met earlier on, the Drom & Inch man says this is a very different Cork team now.
“They had two or three injuries when we met them, but those lads are back now, and they were very impressive in their quarter-final win over a Kilkenny side that probably should have won Leinster,” he said.
He added: “The Cork team we played before has been transformed and bears no resemblance to what we will be facing this weekend.”
Tipp have been out of action for three weeks since their Munster success, a disadvantage in some people’s reckoning but not in James Woodlock’s.
“We have had a three-week break since our last game, but we needed it. We had three games on the trot before that, two of them away, and we also had lads involved in the Celtic Challenge competition.
“Since then, training has been going well. The lads have worked really hard. They are hungry for this game and really looking forward to it,” he says.
The manager is happy to report a clean bill of health going into the semi-final.
“We have no injury issues and have trained very hard in the build-up. We have to forget all about the Munster championship now.
“We will have to be much better than we were in the Munster championship because this is a much different Cork team, but we are hungry for it and really looking forward to it.”
Tipp’s journey through Munster was impressive, winning all their games in the round-robin series and then recording a second win over Limerick in the final.
The team is captained by Conor Collins of Galtee Rovers, who plays at left corner-back, with James Finn of Golden at centre half-back.
The big threat in attack comes from Conall Morrisson of Moyle Rovers and Chris Dunne of Gortnahoe Glengoole, with KJ Dunne of Toomevara also getting among the scores. Zach O’Keeffe of Holycross Ballycahill, injured earlier in the campaign, is back at his best and always good for a score.
The growing influence of Newport at underage level is reflected in the selection of Colm Ryan and Oisin Kennedy in defence, with Ollie Roche on the bench. Daniel Groome (full-back) and Shane Ryan (midfield) represent Borrisoleigh.
Apart from Conall Morrisson, the South division is represented by Travis McLoughlin of Cahir and goalkeeper Eoin Connolly of Carrick Swans. Hugo Healy of Kilruane is at midfield, while Conor Kennedy of Clonoulty Rossmore and Eanna Tucker of Nenagh Éire Óg are attacking flankers.
A strong bench also includes Rory Crosse of Boherlahan; Sean Burke, Brackens; Ben Fuller, St Mary’s; Ciaran Gantley, Cappawhite; Rian McGrath, Kiladangan; Josh Moroney, Ballina; Ciaran O’Mahony, Thurles Sarsfields; and Conor Tobin, Mullinahone.
Tipp’s initial encounter with Cork was a closely contested affair, and lowering the Rebels’ colours a second time will be a tall order, but James Woodlock has shown a talent for getting the most out of his squads and will be hoping that the ’26 team will emulate that of ’24, who won Tipp’s last All-Ireland title in the grade.