Tipperary manager admits his team were 'blessed' to secure victory
'We have a lot to work on over the next few weeks' says Brendan Cummins
“There is no doubt but the lads dug it out. It’s probably one that Waterford will have huge regrets over the course of the game”.
That was the verdict of Tipperary Under 20 hurling manager Brendan Cummins following his team's one-point win over Waterford in Dungarvan in the Munster championship on Wednesday night.
“It’s important that we got four points out of our first two matches. It doesn’t say on the league table how you got there, beating Cork at home and coming down here against a very good Waterford team. Waterford didn’t get the breaks against Clare either.
“It was some test tonight and we are blessed to get out of here”.
On his team’s second half performance while playing with the wind, Cummins had this to say:
“It was a battle and the wind died from a hurricane status down to a strong breeze.
“In fairness to Waterford, they had the penalty chance but Paddy (McCormack) brought off a great save. When we went down to fourteen players, it meant that we had only one inside and they were able to run out the puckouts. The conditions made no difference, so we had to suffer for a while out there. That’s the character of the group. When we suffered, we didn’t bleed too much on the scoreboard.
“It’s Munster championship hurling and you just have to win the match and thankfully tonight we did. You can’t question the endeavour of both sides tonight. It was real dogged stuff.”
“With the gap in games coming up, it’s a nice position to be in, four points from two games. With this championship, the head-to-head is very important.
“We have Clare coming to Thurles next (on April 22). They won the minor grade three years ago and will get better as the championship progresses. They will also have a second game under their belt before the play us.
“We have a lot to work on over the next few weeks and we will do that”.