PREVIEW: Tipperary progress to be given sternest of tests against Limerick this Saturday

Liam Cahill’s Tipperary easily found their way past Antrim last Sunday in Corrigan Park, and by virtue of Limerick’s defeat of Wexford at the same time at the other end of the country, there is now a mouthwatering championship precursor on the cards with Tipp travelling to TUS Gaelic Grounds to face the reigning three in a row All Ireland champions this coming Saturday evening.

After the final round of games were completed on Sunday, many a supporter could be forgiven for breathing a sigh of relief to see the end of the group action, with the league format throwing up a lot of poor encounters that were no more than challenge games; especially in Tipperary’s case with the semi-final date already logged in the schedule after beating Waterford the previous week.

The feeling now is that the real action can finally get underway in earnest, and while it might be another four weeks until the championship throws in for Tipperary in Ennis, this game could be very close to championship intensity with the remaining four teams undoubtedly eager to keep winning momentum, and a crack at early season silverware.

There is a decidedly traditional look to the semi-final pairings with Kilkenny, Cork, Tipperary, and Limerick all making it to this stage, with all four highest in the All Ireland title roll of honour, along with all four teams also being highest in the national league roll of honour.

Of course, different teams will have approached the league with varying degrees of importance placed on progression, but in Tipperary’s case, there is no mistaking the intentions of Liam Cahill and his approach as he has been consistent in saying that he would love for his team to win the league outright, and he continued that narrative on Sunday last.

As far as testing his panel of players and their credentials to date, there isn’t a bigger test in hurling at the moment than having to travel over the Shannon to face Limerick in their home patch, and there is no doubt that this game could make or break a lot of players who are looking to nail down championship places for the Munster opener on April 23.

Limerick are looking formidable once again this year, with a number of their younger and newer prospects putting their hands up for selection with the likes of Shane O’Brien, Micheal Houlihan, Fergal O’Connor, and Donnacha Ó Dalaigh all impressing over the league, while they coasted through the league minus a number of key players apart from a poor second half against Cork in the first round.

The return of Aaron Gillane to action in the last two games is a massive boost the Treaty, while Diarmaid Byrnes also returned from his travels in the same game against Westmeath two weekends ago, while they are also boosted further with full back Mike Casey playing his first competitive game after a cruciate knee injury suffered last year.

Tipperary have used 32 players over the course of their five league games, but you would imagine with this game possibly their last before championship, we may see what Cahill sees as his starting team apart from the stricken Cathal Barrett who is working his way back from injury.

This has been a league campaign so far that has injected a lot of positivity around the Tipperary hurlers again, even allowing for the fact they were in the easier of the two league groups, and if they can bring the intensity and energy we have seen to date they should be tough to beat at the least.

Limerick boss John Kiely highlighted is want to win the league in an interview after the Wexford game, and with Cahill in the same boat, thos could be an early season treat for hurling folk.