PREVIEW: A reaction is critical to save Tipperary's season ahead of Deise trip

And so it comes down to this Saturday’s round two game to save Tipperary’s Munster campaign and ultimately reignite their 2024 season.

This situation was certainly a possibility when the draw was made months ago but the fashion of Tipperary’s capitulation in Limerick - along with Waterford’s unexpected win over Cork - has put a wholly different complexion on this game.

Waterford’s defeat of the Rebels now leaves them in direct opposition with Liam Cahill’s men for a top-three spot with Cork floundering after two defeats, so this game will be pivotal for Tipperary if they are to make a fist of making the grade despite it only being game two.

This is due to the head-to-head factor and it could prove decisive by the end of this round robin.

For Tipperary though, the only thought coming into this game will be a shot at redemption after the horror show in Limerick on Sunday last, and they have very little time to right the wrongs on the training pitch with the six-day turnaround.

Another perspective will be that they will have the chance to redeem themselves quickly and won’t be able to stew on the negatives, but just get in a performance to challenge this time around, as they looked like a team that had left all their physical and mental energy in the dressing room of the Gaelic Grounds.

Whatever it was, everyone involved will need to rectify the reasons for the no-show performance as there is so much more in this group of players and, at the very least, they should be competitive with the top teams.

Liam Cahill voiced his frustration that the players didn’t produce anywhere near their best and “consequences” would follow in terms of team selection for this weekend it is anyone’s guess just how many changes there could be with very few players coming out of Limerick with credit in the bank.

The difficulty for management will be that there was no one area of most concern as it was a complete system meltdown on the day and the selection will be very interesting ahead of the game.

The likelihood will be that experienced heads in the likes of Noel McGrath and Dan McCormack will feature from the start here; Cathal Barrett may be called in ahead of schedule after missing the Limerick game through injury, while Darragh McCarthy has been touted as a possible bolter into the forward division.

Barry Heffernan and Conor Stakelum are just off being ready for this one and the Nenagh man’s experience would have been welcomed to a team that lacked leadership when the game was getting away from them last Sunday.

Restarts were extremely poor against the Treaty with Barry Hogan’s off from his usual standard of delivery and even when going long, the forwards made nothing stick and it contributed to a very soggy base for Tipperary to attack from. Even when the short option was taken, the Limerick attackers didn’t bite and turned over Tipperary possession time and time again; Rhys Shelly might be in contention to see if he can improve fortunes in that regard.

Whatever the formula, energy will be a must as Waterford will be eager to make the most of their newfound confidence and will want to bury any hope of a Tipp revival early in this one.

A more traditional setup bore fruit in a big way for Davy Fitzgerald in their opening-round win, with the return of Tadgh De Burca and Conor Prunty settling them at the back, while the pace and quality of Jamie Barron at midfield caused havoc in the Cork defence.

The poor performance from Cork can’t be ignored but that won’t matter a jot as the Deise will go into this game as favourites, especially in their home patch in Walsh Park.

Tipperary’s season is on the line this Saturday and whatever team takes to the field on the evening, they will have to bring fire and brimstone to get supporters believing again. It’s now or never for Liam Cahill and his players.