REACTION: Tipp manager Liam Cahill laments pressures placed on players due to split season

A win is a win and it was ideal preparation for the National Hurling League opener this weekend for Tipperary after they put their foot down on a severely understrength Limerick team in the Dillon Quirke Foundation game last Sunday.

Speaking to Clubber TV after the game, Cahill admitted he was happy with his side's performance despite not playing against Limerick’s key players.

“It was good to open hurling some physicality in there as well, to be fair.

“In fairness to Limerick, call it as it is. They didn’t have any of their real key men there today, but I'm sure John Kiely will be happy with his troops coming behind these already All-Ireland medals holders. They gave us plenty to think about in the first half-hour of that match.

“It was a good workout, and both sides will be happy. Obviously, the spectators also saw a decent game. 

“There was a fine, big crowd in and I was delighted to see the stand well-packed I’m sure there were plenty of people watching online as well. I’m delighted overall; it’s a good day's work.

Some of the forwards on show were particularly impressive for Tipperary in the game, with Jake Morris picking off some good scores, while Andrew Ormond did his chances of starting against Dublin no harm with 1-2 scored throughout the game, but Cahill was quick to address the difference of intensity which the players will have to deal with going forward in the league and championship.

“Look, I suppose it’s far from the cut and thrust of National League or Munster Championship hurling, but it’s Semple Stadium, it’s All-Ireland champions Limerick and it’s as good as you’re going to get at this time of the year and it’s good for these fellas to get it under their belt.

“We picked off some nice scores but we also butchered a lot of scores today as well, so that will have to improve but it will come. We haven’t a whole lot of hurling done - no more so than Limerick - at this stage but we’ll hopefully see that improve as we progress.

The most noteworthy performance for Tipperary was that of John McGrath at centre forward who bossed proceedings for his side, and he looks like a player in good fettle after a nasty Achilles injury in 2022 disrupted his recent involvement.

“John McGrath has proven it down the years. It was important for him today to get the eye in we have the league coming and coming back from a serious injury.

“People might not realise the work that has gone in behind the scenes with John to come back from that horrific Achilles injury there over a year and a half ago, not even two years ago yet.

“I’m delighted for him and hope he can stay sound as the league and championship unfolds.”

When asked about preparation for the Munster championship, Cahill believes that the championship is too jam-packed and hugely impacts the elite inter-county players.

“It’s a pity that it's so condensed now that our elite players are getting hammered left, right, and centre.

“You just come out of a club campaign and straight back into a National League campaign, and the Munster championship is just three weeks later if you are lucky enough to get to a league semi-final or final.

“The panel is massive now. We saw it last year when we picked up two or three injuries to key players.

“It just ripped the guts out of us, so we’re trying to build a real good squad of 26 players for match day so you can turn around to any of them and know that you’re bringing in a fella just as good as the lad that comes off so that’s the key I think every manager is trying to do the same thing so let's see what the league brings out as it’s the whole objective of it,” he finished.

Tipperary will begin their league campaign with a clash against Galway at Semple Stadium next weekend, hoping to put the foundations in place for a successful 2024.