Green shoots peeping as Tipperary hurlers record first win of Cahill era

Just short of 3,000 spectators packed into MacDonagh Park, Nenagh on Sunday to see Liam Cahill’s Tipperary record their first win of the new era when they downed Clare in a crisp outing.

And, perhaps reflective of the big crowd and the buzz about the Premier County, the players responded in spades with no fewer than twelve of the twenty two players on show getting on the scoresheet.

Cahill and his management team have not been shy about trying things - Michael Breen at full back; Dan McCormack at half back the last day; Seamus Kennedy at half forward - shaking up the established and mixing it all up with a plethora of newcomers has brought an element of freshness to the approach. It made for pleasing viewing from the stands and the supporters showed their appreciation, even by just being there in the first place in such numbers .

“I was delighted to see the big Tipperary following out and this was a good opportunity to get our first win on home soil - great to see the support and the goodwill behind the team,” Liam Cahill gushed afterwards.

He added: “There is change and that’s what change does - it brings curiosity and excitement. All these guys are working really hard and we are really pleased with the way they are training. We are in a heavy block at the moment as is usual in January and it is all about getting some work into the legs and trying to put a bit of a stamp on what we are going to try and do going forward. So far so good,” the Ballingarry man said.

An insight into the repositioning of key players is perhaps reflected in the Manager’s comments on Seamus Kennedy and his half forward outing: “Every team in the modern game is about being able to get about the field and Seamus is a very versatile player who can play anywhere. He is a very intelligent and athletic player and that gives us options - that’s what we are looking for, options everywhere on the field,” he said.

There were very strong showings too from Bryan O’Mara at centre back; Gearoid O’Connor at centre forward and Sean Ryan at corner forward, while Cian O’Dwyer and Johnny Ryan both scored when introduced. Conor Stakelum too got through a massive amount of work, while Barry Hogan’s penalty save in the second half was a real highlight of the game.
So, what is the Manager looking for with these games?

“ I suppose we are looking to see how players will apply themselves when things don’t go to plan. At this time of year it is nearly guaranteed that you are going to meet a lot of obstacles in terms of fitness and that workrate taste that comes into your mouth, It is about visiting that and seeing if you are comfortable with it because that is what will come later on when the real business-end comes. It is all about practice at this stage,”Liam said.

Confessing that both sides will take a lot from the game, Tipperary will be impressed by their own numbers - 1-10 in the first half; 1-12 in the second half; conceded only 0-7 in the second half, just short of half that conceded in the first - 0-13; 1-14 scored from play - all makes for good reading, but Tipp must await to see how Clare and Waterford fare in their clash before knowing if they progress to the final.

So, pleased with the attitude of the players, Liam and co now continue the balancing act - balancing newcomers with the returning veterans; the Fitzgibbon Cup; the training workload; the task of getting work into the legs without sapping too much energy. It’s a fine balance which will hopefully see John McGrath return before long following an extensive rehab programme for his ruptured achilles tendon, while cruciate victims - defenders Craig Morgan and Barry Heffernan- will both be assessed before the end of league to ascertain their progress.

“A lot to look forward to,” Cahill smiles as he heads to the inner sanctum.
Green shoots emerging.