Tipperary Hurling Tipperary GAA Premierview

9.07.06

Tipp senior hurlers visit Croke Park next weekend to face up to a team that we’ve already met in the championship. The 1997 All-Ireland Final saw the same thing happen, though the lead-in that time was vastly different to what the last 4 weeks have produced. 9 years ago Tipp lost the Munster Final to Clare, but recovered strongly to eliminate reigning All-Ireland champions Wexford after substantial changes to the team lineout. We were assisted then by a couple of games against Dublin in the NHL quarter-Final, and Down in the All-Ireland equivalent, when enable the team management to try out new ideas. This time we haven’t been afforded that luxury.

Another parallel from that year was the demotion of a player who’d started the Munster Final from the panel. Boherlahan’s Philip O’Dwyer was cut from the squad within days of the loss to Clare down the Pairc, having been substituted at half-time in that game. This year Babs & co have seen fit to expel Ger O’Grady & Micheal Webster from their plans since the Munster Final, a decision which has generated much publicity, some of it adverse. Both had featured in all of Tipp’s 3 championship games thus far, the former captaining the side. It’s an undoubtedly serious move to dispense with them, hopefully one which will not be regretted.

Since Declan Ryan last lined out at centre forward for Tipp in 2000, quite a few players have been thrown the no. 11 jersey, none ever really making it a home. Eddie Enright, John Carroll & Conor Gleeson all enjoyed success there at times, the latter two even winning All-Star nominations during their in the position. Enright was only ever plugging a gap there though, a sustained run in the 2001 NHL notwithstanding, and this was quickly recognised by Nicky & co after the Munster Final that year. Gleeson probably played his best hurling for Tipp at no. 11, but his intercounty career was nearing its end by the time he was slotted there. Carroll played well there against Wexford in 2001, but never afterwards, always faring better either at wing or full forward.

2005 saw Francis Devanney, Tommy Dunne & John Devane filling the slot with mixed fortunes, the old soldier obviously not a long-term solution, while the two younger men didn’t consolidate their positions, Devanney not featuring at all during the 2006 NHL. Last year Eoin Kelly saw action on the 40 to good effect at times; he’s been kept close to the square in 2006 so far. This year Redser wore no. 11 for 3 successive championship games. He had a fine game against Limerick, which was mitigated by some very poor shooting. Against Waterford & Cork he did some good work, before visibly running out of puff in both second halves, and being replaced well before the end. Not perfect, but definitely a viable option, even if he were unable to replicate his outstanding club form of 2005 on the intercounty stage. Now he’s outside the wire, and the management have decide to parachute Francis Devanney back into the team at centre forward.

This news has been greeted with incredulity by most Tipp supporters this week. The young Toome man started 3 senior championship matches for Tipp last year, but didn’t come out for the second half in 2 of them. He did play well against Clare in the Munster semi-Final, scoring 2 points and laying off some good ball. His last match of note in the county colours was in last year’s Munster U21 Final, when he was hauled off after 20 minutes, prompting his current manager to remark about the dearth of upcoming talent in the county in his Sunday Times column. Babs must’ve undergone a Damascene conversion since then. One assumes the management know what they’re doing, as us supporters certainly haven’t seen what’s behind their thinking. At least there’s no real pressure on Francis, miracles cannot be expected from the lad, hopefully he’ll justify the faith placed in him on Sunday.

Unlike in 1997, the rest of the team remains the same for the visit to Croke Park. Paul Curran’s success at full back keeps Philly Maher on the bench, the Mullinahone man has been excellent all year and will probably own no. 3 for the foreseeable future. I doubt if anyone would’ve forecast the 2 corner backs’ identities at the start of the year, but Fanning has settled well into his alternative role, despite experiencing some trouble at the hand of Joe Deane, which is hardly cause for too much panic, given the Killeaghman’s current form. Paul Ormonde’s surprise return for the Munster Final proved encouraging, though one hopes the uncertainty of his opening quarter then was due to an understandable rustiness after a sustained absence from the colours.

Eamonn Corcoran has been enjoying his best from for some time at wing back, and bears no resemblance to the diffident player who featured in last year’s championship. Beside him Conor O’Mahoney has been showing a steady improvement at centre back, his Munster Final display particularly encouraging, though I believe he could be troubled by an aggressive centre forward in much the same way that Stephen Lucey discomfited him in the 2nd half of the opening game against Limerick. Hugh Maloney on the other side looks the most vulnerable of the half back trio, big Dan Shanahan caused him plenty of strife down the Pairc, and will probably face him again in Croke Park. Hugh was excellent against Limerick in the 1st round, and has improved immeasurably since last year.

The find of the year for Tipp is Ballinahinch’s Shane McGrath at midfield, 3 good games in a row, showing plenty of dash, industry and hurling. Beside him the artistry of Paul Kelly sits, we’ve yet to see some of the stuff which won him an All-Star last year. He’s had time to recover from injury now, and the 4-week gap since the Munster Final should help him.

John O’Brien and John Carroll man the wing forward berths for the 3rd game in a row. O’Brien has been quietly impressive thus far, notching a couple of points per game, and spraying around some decent ball. Carroll has steadily improved from game to game, and was quite good against Cork. Between them is Francis Devanney, with no form line to speak of. A decent forager who’s good to link up with fellow teammates, but not strong in the air, so Tipp’s puckouts will probably hit the wings, as they did last time we faced the Deise.

Eoin Kelly had a tough time of it against Cork, but still paid his way winning ball, scoring the frees, and forcing saves from Cusack, though both chances were only half-ones and should’ve been driven over the bar. Eoin has been superlative in the other games, and is a savage asset to have on one’s side. Waterford will surely have a better plan for him than they did in Cork. Diarmuid Fitzgerald was excellent as a playmaker in the full forward line against the Deise, but had unproductive afternoons against both Cork & Limerick. It’s possible he may feature in the half forward line, with Carroll going full forward. Personally I believe he should be back at wing back, he’s not a scoring threat in the forwards, and has been superb in defence. I cannot see him as a long-term forward, especially when there are better scoretakers about the place.

Larry Corbett completes the side at corner forward, taking over the captain’s mantle from the deposed O’Grady. He’s shown well enough so far, taking fine goals in the last 2 games, and is capable of causing serious trouble to a Deise full back line. Lar is currently Thurles Sarsfields captain, and has been leading by example in their recent club games. After a substandard couple of seasons for the county he’s hurled well this year and last, and should be well able for the additional weight on his shoulders.

Sunday’s meeting with Waterford is crucial, and could well be the year defining game for Tipp this season. Resultswise, there isn’t much between 2006 & 2005, though championship performances have been more consistent this year. The Munster Final performance was decent, but it was the least important championship game Tipp will play this year. Management’s decision to dispense with the players mentioned above is a brave one, not knowing the facts which lie behind it I cannot say if it’s the right one. Ken’s Hogan’s management team fell on its sword on its first visit to Croke Park, it’s likely the current incumbents won’t suffer the same fate, but should Tipp fail on Sunday, they’ll have to brace themselves for the brickbats which will inevitably follow. The management need more than a good Tipp performance, they need victory.



20/06/06



The Rebels trundle into town next weekend for another Munster Final bout with Tipp. There was a time when such an event would have me rapt for the entirety of the preceding week, but in the current championship format, it’s a fixture that is almost superfluous. Both sides are automatically through to the All-Ireland quarterfinals, irrespective of the outcome. Should one team inflict a hiding similar to that which Clare visited on Limerick in Ennis last weekend, it’ll matter not a whit, as the losers will still get their day out in Croke Park, and the chance to redeem their season. There might be a trophy and a title on offer, but the significance and value of the Munster Final (not to mention its Leinster equivalent) has been greatly demeaned by those who devised the parameters for the current hurling championship.

No doubt not everyone will share my view, those in the hospitality industry in the Thurles are will certainly hope that I’m in the minority. There’s a colourful history attached to the visits of Cork to Semple Stadium, and their clashes there with Waterford since the turn of the century have produced some gripping contests, most notably the classic Munster Final clash in 2004, which resulted in a thrilling victory for the Deise. As recently as 10 years ago, Cork would’ve trooped home to lick their wounds for 12 months after such a loss, as Tipp had to in 1996 after a goalfest from Limerick ensured that the spoils went to rest by the Shannon that year. As we’re all too aware though, Cork were the ones who brought home the big prize in 2004, whilst Waterford were beaten next time out by Kilkenny, who were comfortably disposed of by the Rebels in September.

Tipp’s appearance in the 1984 Munster Final against Cork in Thurles would be many people’s first memory of the county’s involvement in a senior hurling final, it certainly was mine. It was a heartbreaking day for a young Tipp fan, when Seanie O’Leary banged home a goal to rescue Cork from what seemed like a certain Tipp victory, and send Tipp followers home distraught. Three years later the sides met in another thriller on Semple’s turf, when the exact same thing nearly happened again, only for Nicky English to win a free which was duly converted by Pat Fox. The sheer elation at not having lost again was exhilarating, and nobody from Tipp needs reminding of the fantastic sequence of events in the Killarney replay later that month. In 1990 both sides met again in Thurles in the Munster final, with Tipp reigning All-Ireland champions, something which hadn’t been the case for a good while. Against all expectation Cork prevailed in a fine, goal-ridden game, and left Tipp to rue some slack defending.

However in 1991 Thurles was to host a rollercoaster of a Munster Final replay, Tipp having been denied victory in Cork by a myopic umpire. The man’s human error was well worth it though, as events in Thurles unrolled before us. Cork-inflicted agony preceded the final 20 minutes of ecstasy, when it was a privilege to be standing on the Killinan End to watch it all unfold. I’ve watched this game many times on the trusty VCR, and always feel the same surge of excitement when Aidan Ryan blocks down one Corkman, flicks past another, and hits a powerful lefthander past Ger Cunningham. Cork followers were left bemused after this enthralling game, they’d hit 4-15 past us, but had lost their Munster & All-Ireland titles. No safety net, they were out of the All-Ireland reckoning, as we’d been in 1984 & 1990.


The sides didn’t meet in Thurles again until 2000, by which time the provincial final losers would enter the All-Ireland quarterfinals, with the winners leapfrogging them into the last 4. It was an entertaining game, embellished by a pair of wonderful Tommy Dunne strikes into the Killinan End net, which Tipp lost by just 2 points, after missing 2 penalties, and endangering the lives of a few low-flying crows at the Town End in the first half. At least there was something to play for in this game, besides a Munster title, progression to the last 4 and definite avoidance of a tricky match with Galway. Tipp did draw the Connachtmen, and also lost to them by 2 points, after conceding a bad goal from a Eugene Cloonan free, and losing Eamonn Corcoran & John Leahy to injury, in addition to the already sidelined Declan Ryan. Cork didn’t win their next match either, losing to a dying kick from the irrepressible Offaly team which lit up the latter half of the 90s. The 2000 Munster final wouldn’t compare to those described in the previous paragraph, but at least there was a serious incentive to win it.

How can next Sunday’s encounter possibly reach such heights as the aforementioned, when there’s so little to lose? Each side has already played its most important games within the province, Sunday’s final is like a ’99 cone that’s handed to a weary workman while he’s awaiting his payslip. It’s pleasant and leaves a nice taste, but it’s not really what he’s after.

Incidentally, the minor final between the same two sides is one to catch. I’m not familiar with the Cork side, but the Tipp team contains some exciting prospects for the future. Some of them have already begun to make an impact at senior club level in the county, and Thomas Stapleton the centre back has had the distinction of hurling in the Fitzgibbon Cup for UL earlier this year, no mean feat for an 18 year old these days, considering the amount of seasoned hurlers currently playing in that competition. The winners go directly into the All-Ireland semi-finals, and with 9 seasons having passed since Tipp’s last Irish Press Cup triumph, it’s time to consign that statistic to history.

4.5.06

May 14th 2006 will see Tipp and Limerick trundle into Thurles for the 1st round of the Munster hurling championship. There was a time when such a fixture would draw a sizable crowd of neutral hurling people in addition to the partisan followers, but the revamped championship seems to have dulled interest in the earlier hurling games. The ragged form displayed by Tipperary in the recent NHL campaign won’t have done much to attract people either, though Limerick’s best league run since their last victory in the competition back in 1997 should guarantee a fair smattering of green and white about Semple for the clash.

The first time I witnessed Tipp’s senior hurlers in the championship was actually against Limerick in 1978, when we went down rather tamely in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. With Tipp’s fortunes completely bankrupt at the time it wasn’t too difficult to get parking near the grounds. The hurling was preceded by a Munster senior football championship match involving a Cork side boasting such dual stars as Ray Cummins, Jimmy Barry Murphy, Brian Murphy & Denis Coughlan. Truthfully I was more aware of these men than the lads who featured in the second game that day. Despite the fact that Limerick had featured in two consecutive All-Ireland finals just a few years previously they were a work in progress at the time, failing to reach the Munster Final afterwards, and heavily losing the following year’s one to Cork. On a day that Tipp had little to cheer about we did have a few bright stars on the day; Tommy Butler acquitted himself so well that he was to bring a Carroll’s All-Star trophy back to the Ragg the following Winter, Pat McLoughney was assured in goals, and Cashel’s Pat Fitzelle showed his class at half back.

In 1981 the two sides met again, this time in Thurles. Limerick were reigning Munster champions, after a thrilling victory over Cork in the third of three high profile clashes between the sides in 1980, the drawn and replayed NHL finals being the other two. They had failed in September to a Galway side who had much more Croke Park experience, and their centre back on that day, Garryspillane’s Mossy Carroll was now lynchpinning the Tipp defence, having sensationally transferred to our colours after the All-Ireland loss. His brother Brian was facing him on the Limerick side, Brian had been introduced as a sub in the All-Ireland final, scoring a point and setting up a second half goal for Limerick. Tipp’s side was sprinkled with players who had tasted provincial & All-Ireland success at U21 level in the previous two years. One of those young men lined out at right corner forward, Pat Fox was just 20 years of age, and couldn’t possibly know what yet lay in front of him. He’d displayed super form in that year’s league, most notably against Laois when he annexed 3-3, but the best of him was a few more years in front of him.

A sensational first half performance, with John Grogan running riot, and his forward colleagues Eamonn O’Shea & Peadar Queally weighing in solidly as well, saw Tipp take a huge lead in at half time. The Cashelman could even afford to misjudge a free lift early in the second half, and still hit the ball over the bar. It looked like our day. Joe McKenna and Brian Carroll had something to say about that though, the former banged in three goals, the latter one and suddenly Tipp were melting. Grogan netted again for Tipp. Fitzelle had a chance from a long range free, it didn’t make it, and the teams finished level. After a fine first half Mossy Carroll was sensationally withdrawn in the second, prompting Liz Howard to express her shame that night on the Sunday Game, where she was a resident panellist. Limerick’s relief was matched by Tipp’s despair, had we blown a great chance?

The replay saw Limerick answer with a resounding ‘yes’. Tipp were comfortably accounted for on the Ennis Road, McKenna was limited to just one green flag this time, but with Cregan around that didn’t matter. Clonmore’s Seamus Bourke came on and helped himself to two goals, but Tipp fell well short. Limerick went on to retain the Munster title in Thurles at the expense of Clare, McKenna helping himself to a hat trick of netshakers, but eventually fell to Galway in a high scoring All-Ireland semi-final replay, on a day when the Munster side was seriously depleted by injury and suspension. Galway had managed to prevent McKenna from goaling in both games, they didn’t keep him completely quiet or anything like it, but it was a big help in overcoming Limerick.

Limerick went on to win successive NHL titles in 1984 & ’85, but the next time they faced Tipp in the championship the parameters had considerably changed since that replay in Limerick. The Shannonsiders had not contested a Munster Final since 1981 when they faced reigning Munster & National League champions Tipp in 1988 down the Pairc. Tipp, after losing two successive Munster Finals to Cork (ironically also in 1984 & ’85), and seriously messing up against Clare in ’86, had finally made the breakthrough in Killarney on a glorious (I’m not talking about the weather here) 1987 July day. Limerick’s U21 hurlers had claimed the All-Ireland title in ’87, and some of those young lads took the field that day in Cork. Joe O’Connor was one; he battled valiantly, but unsuccessfully on Pat Fox, Tipp’s key man in attack in the absence of the injured Nicholas English. The match itself was a nondescript, goalless affair, with Fox taking chief plaudits, and Tipp never looked like losing. We went up against Galway in September, but were not able for the more savvy, seasoned Tribesmen.

That Sunday in Cork was a very auspicious day for Tipperary though, three young men made their championship debuts that day, Declan Ryan at full forward where he faced the venerable Leonard Enright in his final game, John Leahy at wing forward, who was taken off at half time but reintroduced in the second half, & Michael Cleary who was introduced as a substitute in the second half but did not feature again for the remainder of that year’s championship. The trio went on to form a classy half forward for years after, when selecting a Tipp half forward line was not the conundrum it’s been for the last few years.

In 1989 the sides met again in the Munster semi-final, also in the Pairc. Michael Cleary had broken into the first 15 at this stage, and was selected ahead of Pat Fox for this clash. However, an injury received on the training ground, in a clash with the same Fox, meant that the Nenaghman was out for the Limerick match, Fox regaining his slot. Tipp played with the wind in the first half, and were in real trouble at half-time, when a fortuitous goal saw us walk in level. Terence Kenny, Shane Fitzgibbon & Ger Hegarty had been dictating matters, Declan Ryan had to go to midfield to keep the Tipp ship on course. The start of the second half saw the introduction of an invaluable piece of the Tipp jigsaw, burly Cormac Bonnar at full forward, and Tipp took over completely, scoring three goals after the changeover and winning easily in the end. Bonnar was conducting traffic upfront, Fox & English were lethal, playing off the big Cashelman in a very fruitful manner. Joe Hayes also got in on the goalscoring act, embellishing his strike with quite possibly the clumsiest (but most amusing) celebration ever seen in the championship. Tipp later went on to bring McCarthy back to Thurles, but hadn’t a rougher 35 minutes than that first half against Limerick.

1990 saw both sides clash in Limerick this time. Tipp had a fairly uninspiring league campaign, and were lucky not to be relegated. Limerick tore into us from the outset, in a repeat of the previous year’s game. One crucial incident took place before half-time, when Mike Barron the Limerick full back was ordered to the line after Cormac Bonnar was felled. It was a wild swipe certainly, around the head, and would’ve been difficult for a referee to keep Barron on the pitch. A few astute changes at half time, with Dinny Ryan replacing the Viking & John Madden in for John Heffernan, saw Tipp tighten up considerably. Despite the best efforts of Ciaran Carey & Gary Kirby, goals from Declan & Dinny Ryan saw Tipp prevail by 6 points. It was an unsatisfactory display from the Premier county, especially in defence, and we did have an extra man for more than half of the game, and really should’ve seen the Red juggernaut coming round the corner.

The following year Limerick came to Thurles to face Tipp there for the first time since 1981. After an abject display against Offaly in the NHL semi-final in Spring, optimism was in short supply among Tipp supporters. Limerick were without Ciaran Carey, victim of a kitchen blaze, but lacked nothing in aggression. Tipp responded very well to this though, whether it was Keating’s words ringing in their ears, or a natural reaction to Limerick’s challenge it mattered little. Limerick had the breeze in the first half, but their discipline was poor. John Kennedy’s season was ended by a sneaky pull by Galligan, and a flare up in front of the Town goals was followed by Anthony Carmody receiving his marching orders for a nasty pull across Michael Cleary. The Viking kicked a goal, Pat Fox drove over with a goal at his mercy, and Declan Ryan showed strength and intent on the ‘40’. Tipp had it in the bag at half-time, with an extra man and the elements on their side to come in the second half. Nicky English scored his final championship goal for Tipp into the Town end late in the game, Leahy scored a delightful point from in front of Ardan Ui Chinnean after a brilliant robbery of Declan Nash, and Tipp wound up winning by a hefty margin. Gary Kirby’s display helped win him an All-Star ahead of Declan Ryan later in the year, while Tipp went on to win September honours.

The following May both sides met in the NHL final. Tipp were well in control at half-time, but a magnificent comeback from Limerick, orchestrated by Ciaran Carey & Ger Hegarty, saw the Shannonsiders nick victory at the death with a point from Ray Sampson. It was only the league maybe, or so we thought, but Tipp torpor was still in evidence a month later when Cork relieved us of both crowns. Later that year Tommy Quaid was finally rewarded with a well-deserved All-Star between the posts, so it wasn’t a bad year for the Treatymen, as they had also reached the Munster Final for the first time since 1981.

The tide had turned somewhat by the time the sides next met in the championship. In 1995 Limerick were reigning Munster champions, and had featured in the most bizarre closing 5 minutes of an All-Ireland final in modern times the previous September. After a comprehensive victory over Waterford in the first round of the Munster championship, Tipp faced Limerick minus Paul Delaney & Michael Ryan, who had needlessly gotten into trouble during a goalmouth incident against the Deise, and were now suspended. This resulted in some serious reshuffling of the deck, with Colm Bonnar stationed at corner back, where he’d originally made his senior debut back in 1986. Damien Quigley won a penalty, which Gary Kirby pointed, while at the other end an Anthony Crosse goalbound shot was tipped over the bar by Joe Quaid. Ciaran Carey was immense at centre back for Limerick, necessitating the switch of a young Tommy Dunne to trail him, while in front of him the unheralded Sean O’Neill was having a stormer at midfield. Raymie & Aidan Ryan were showing well for Tipp, as was the rejuvenated English in the corner. Gary Kirby was giving an exhibition of point-taking, both from play and the dead ball. In the second half Tipp lost Crosse to a career-ending eye injury, but still Limerick couldn’t pull away. Leahy shot a good goal chance over the bar, and a subdued Declan Ryan got a chance to equalise right at the death. Declan’s shot didn’t make it, and Limerick crept into the Munster Final by a solitary point, where they fell short against 63 years of Clare hunger.

Tipp quietly sidled into the 1996 Munster Final, to face a Limerick side which had walloped Cork and edged out All-Ireland champions Clare by a point in a thrilling encounter in Pairc na Gaeil. The opening 35 minutes saw Tipp absolutely overwhelm Limerick, and the 10-point half-time margin did not flatter us. Declan Ryan & teenager Liam Cahill were running amok, and the Tipp half back line ruled supreme. All of Tipp’s forwards had scored from play in the first half, whereas Limerick had been confined to Kirby frees. The second half saw Tipp start in similar fashion, with points from Cleary & Dunne. Limerick had introduced Mike Galligan, and soon sent for Frankie Carroll. Incredibly, the Treaty side began to claw their way back into the game, shooting a series of points, which initially barely raised a cheer, but soon began to stir the partisan crowd. Tipp’s scoring dried up, and suddenly Limerick were level, despite not troubling Brendan Cummins. TJ Ryan was beginning to make inroads, and the aforementioned Limerick substitutes were making an impact. Tipp’s entire full forward line ended up moving out to the half line, such was Limerick’s dominance there once Iron Mike went centre back. Liam Cahill finally pointed to put Tipp ahead again. Nicky English was in the fray at this stage, and was beginning to make some hay. Kevin Tucker put Tipp ahead in injury time, but the bould Frankie nabbed the equaliser to send both sides to a replay in Cork. Startling parallels to the last time both sides had drawn 15 years earlier, except this time the Tipp net was kept intact.

The same couldn’t be said of the replay, when the Tipp inner defence was helping with enquiries after the concession of 4 goals. Tipp started off well, winning heaps of possession, but unfortunately the umpires at the Blackrock end were busier waving their arms than lifting flags. Declan Ryan & Nicky English were playing well in the full forward line, while Colm Bonnar was completely eclipsing Kirby. Owen O’Neill rounded Mike Ryan and kicked a leftfooter to the net, and Frankie rose highest to knock in a free just before half time. Tipp had done all the hurling, but went in level at half-time. Things were to get worse in the second half, O’Neill kicked a second and TJ finished another to Cummins’ net. Now it was Limerick’s turn to experience difficulty with the Blackrock posts, it wasn’t to matter though as their defence kept a clean sheet at the other end, and Tipp points weren’t sufficient to claw back the deficit. The Tipp management drew criticism for replacing Leahy, who was well beaten after the change of ends, whilst leaving Noel Sheehy to fiddle on the bench whilst Rome was burning in front of Cummins. It was their last game in charge, and also marked the final appearances of English & Fox in Tipp senior jerseys. It was truly a galling defeat, as Tipp scored 9 more points than Limerick, but the 4 goals were enough to win Limerick back the title. Unfortunately for the Shannonsiders, they left their best hurling after them in Munster that year, failing to 14 man Wexford in September.

1997 saw Limerick come to Thurles to play Tipp after disposing of Waterford. A hugely impressive league campaign saw Limerick come with plenty of hope to Semple, and indeed there wasn’t much in it in the first half. Greater economy from the Tipp forwards, the complete antithesis of what was experienced in Cork the previous July, saw us strike over some wonderful points. Cleary at full forward was barbecuing Mike Nash, while once again Colm Bonnar was completely in charge at centre back. Limerick displayed much profligacy in the first half, in contrast to the Waterford clash when they couldn’t miss. This game completely petered out in the second half, with Tipp eventually triumphing by 10 points, and quietening the Limerick supporters. Leahy shot some beauties from midfield while Declan Ryan & Kevin Tucker worked their magic upfront, with Tommy Dunne a classy presence on the wing. Limerick were extremely disappointing in the closing 35 minutes, though Mike Galligan’s introduction did improve them somewhat. They were later to win the National League title, which wasn’t enough to keep Tom Ryan’s position safe. Tipp made it all the way to the All-Ireland final via the scenic route, but came home with nothing.

The next time the sides met it was in the 2001 Munster Final, when two of each county’s greatest ever forwards, Nicky English & Eamonn Cregan, were in charge of the teams. Limerick had sensationally beaten Cork, and mounted a miraculous comeback from 10 points down against Waterford, while Tipp had prevailed by a point against Tysonesque Clare in a tough, draining encounter by the Lee. On a scorching day Tipp started in a vapour trail with six different players scoring from play in the opening quarter. Declan Ryan kicked into an empty net, while surprise packet Sean O’Connor goaled for Limerick at the other end. Indeed, O’Connor was to trouble John Carroll so much that the Roscreaman was later replaced, and has yet to hurl championship in the backs since. Limerick rearranged their defence, scored the last five points of the first half and went in level at half time.

The second half saw Limerick win plenty of possession, but fail to transfer it on to the scoreboard. Tipp’s forwards began to wilt, but Brian O’Meara and sub John O’Brien hit over two late ones to clinch victory for Tipp. The aforementioned O’Meara & Eamonn Corcoran were amongst Tipp’s heroes at the finish, but the key to victory was Tipp’s ability to mine scores from limited possession. Nine Tipp players scored from play, even our troubled half forward line coughed up 0-7, despite the eventual dominance of Limerick’s halfbacks. Limerick weren’t the only ones to reconstruct their team that day, John Carroll’s move to the half forward line in Croke Park saw a much better balanced Tipp side goon to complete an unbeaten League & Championship run in September, despite hitting some thin ice along the way. Limerick fell by a point to Wexford in a dramatic quarter final, when they conceded three goals from frees, had a goal whistled back, and their freetaker Paul O’Grady didn’t enjoy the best of luck with his strikes.

2002 saw Limerick beat Tipp in our opening league fixture in Thurles. Tipp didn’t look too interested, and anyway had a tough route through Munster to concentrate on. Clare were hurdled for the third year in a row in Cork, which left us facing Limerick down there again. An injury ravaged Tipp side gave the county’s best display of the year, beating Limerick by 7 points. John Carroll was a surprise inclusion at full-forward, where he had a productive day on TJ Ryan. Limerick gave Tipp enough of it in the opening 20 minutes, but Tipp took over thereafter and when some great work from Brian O’Meara resulting in Carroll lashing to the Limerick net, the shackles were thrown off. Noel Morris gave a fine display at midfield, O’Meara walked off with the MOTM gong afterwards, while Eoin Kelly wreaked havoc in the corner. This was a truly fine display from a depleted Tipp, prompting some commentators to predict sustained dominance for us in the game. We now know just how accurate that forecast was. Limerick had sterling displays from veteran Stephen McDonagh & Peter Lawlor, and went on to lose by a point to Cork in the qualifiers in Thurles. An unbackable Tipp were well beaten by Waterford in the Munster Final on an emotional day for the Deisemen, we did regroup to reach the All-Ireland semi-final, giving second best in a brilliant encounter to a Kilkenny side on its way to emulating our League & Championship double of the previous year.

In 2004 Tipp & Limerick met for the first time in the All-Ireland qualifiers, in what was a winner-takes-all clash. Both sides had narrowly lost to Waterford & Cork respectively, and each seemed to have declined from the halcyon days of 2001. On a dreary Saturday evening in difficult conditions the sides played in Limerick in a scrappy, tense encounter. Scores from play were at a premium due to the swirling wind, but Tipp goals from John Carroll & Tommy Dunne kept us in a good position at half-time, having played against the elements. Tommy was in fine fettle at midfield, Seamus Butler was profiting in the right corner, whilst newcomers Declan Fanning & Diarmaid Fitzgerald were hurling impeccably in the half back line. Limerick’s own half back line of Moran-Geary-Lawlor was a formidable force, especially dominant after the change of ends. Tipp’s half forward line had been considerably weakened just before half-time when Eddie Enright was lost to an injury which sidelined him for nearly 12 months. With Eoin Kelly being well shackled by Damien Reale, Tipp were struggling for scores. Limerick were too though, the introduction of Donal O’Grady saw them gain an edge at midfield but they were still 4 points down in injury-time. Aodhan MacSuibhne never blew the long blast and Andrew O’Shaughnessy pounced for his second goal. Limerick got the ball into Tipp’s half but mistakenly played for a free which wasn’t conceded, instead of taking the direct route. Tipp survived by the minimum in a game that should’ve been closed out, though as stated MacSuibhne should’ve dropped the curtain before the final drama. We next faced Cork in Killarney, and didn’t repeat 1987. Cork went on to hardly break a sweat in bringing the All-Ireland back Leeside.

Less than 12 months Limerick came to Thurles for the first round of the 2005 Munster championship. Joe McKenna had taken over Limerick after Pajo Whelehan was given his walking papers following two heavy league defeats earlier in the year. Whatever happened it was a totally different Limerick side, helped in no small way by the return to action of a couple of dual players, who’d come very close to toppling Kerry in the other code the previous year, which bounded into Semple as they tore into Tipp, who were in serious trouble in the same old areas. The half forward line could make no headway whatsoever, the speedy Sheehan tapped in a goal off a Cummins rebound, and things looked very ominous after half time when Donie Ryan won a penalty which was despatched to the net. Redser O’Grady had been summoned at half-time, and after shooting a few poor wides he brought the Tipp crowd to their feet when he fielded over the head of Reale and shook the Killinan End net. Tommy Dunne shot over a long-range beauty to help the Tipp recovery. Limerick rallied again and went two points up with the seconds ticking away. Tipp won a lineball, it was floated into the square, and a hitherto quiet John Devane found the net to sensationally hand Tipp a scarcely deserved lead. Limerick weren’t finished yet though, Paul O’Grady grabbed a sweet equaliser from the puckout. Tipp followers were relieved, despite Limerick having to draw, the Shannonsiders definitely had hurled better and really should’ve prevailed.

Six days later both sides came to the Ennis Road to finalise matters. It was an evening fixture, just as it had been when the two sides had met there the previous June. On an extremely difficult day for hurling, when the weather varied from driving rain to blinding sunshine, both sides served up a game which was hugely superior to the one in sun-drenched Thurles the previous week, and which bears up extremely well to repeated viewing. TV pictures don’t give a proper reflection of the awful conditions, though both sides still served up an enthralling encounter, with plenty of skill, as well as courage and endeavour. Tommy Dunne rolled back the years to give a classy lesson in point taking, while the Tipp defence was all the better for the return of Diarmaid Fitzgerald to the half back line. Limerick had begun well, creating a few opportunities, but Tipp gradually began to assert themselves, and got a great tonic before half-time, when sub Redser helped himself to a second goal in 6 days. Tipp indiscipline towards the end of the first half saw their lead dwindle from 5 points to 2, TJ Ryan gratefully accepting the dead ball opportunities.

Tipp’s half back line of Fanning-Kennedy-Fitzgerald saw off their immediate opponents before the end of normal time, but Limerick were winning the midfield battle. John Carroll, who’d been up in the stand the previous Sunday, made a dramatic entrance, and indeed had a great chance to seal victory, but his one-handed flick flew wide. Limerick clawed it back with a point from Kevin Tobin, and Garryspillane provided the hero yet again when Donie Ryan grabbed the equaliser in injury-time. The sides were warmly applauded from the field, and extra-time awaited us.

Tipp had sprung another trump card for the start of extra-time, and the diminutive Evan Sweeney paid his way handsomely with a cracking run and finish to the Limerick net. Questions were raised about the amount of steps Evan took, the same ones which were asked of Donie Ryan the previous week when Donie was awarded that penalty. This was the decisive score, as time wore on Limerick seemed to own the ball, but apart from two Donal O’Grady points they couldn’t add to their tally. The same player probably hurled more ball than any other player that day, but he and his namesake were guilty of inaccurate shooting. Tipp had added another Tommy Dunne point, and held out for a second 1-point victory in 12 months. It was cruel on Limerick, they should’ve won the first day, Tipp should’ve done the same in normal time in the replay, but nobody would’ve complained if a return trip to Thurles had materialised. As it transpired both sides made it to Croke Park for the quarter-finals, but neither prevailed. Tipp lost a decent lead to Galway, and Limerick offered stout resistance to Kilkenny, but couldn’t trouble the Noresiders sufficiently on the scoreboard.

So the story continues in 2006. Tipp’s league form has been dismal enough, whilst Limerick enjoyed a decent campaign, only losing to Kilkenny in the final. We look forward to the next chapter, and hope that it’s as memorable as some of those above.

21.02.06

Ever since Babs Keating retook the reins of the Tipp senior hurling team late last Autumn the challenge/tournament game route he brought his panellists on has been eagerly monitored by all Tipp partisans, and also indeed by those who’d profess no allegiance whatsoever to the county. A much-awaited National Hurling league campaign finally kicked off last Sunday, with Tipp paying a very informative visit to Limerick. It was our third year in a row to face the Shannonsiders on their patch in February, and the first of the three where Limerick actually seemed interested in the proceedings. We came away with a point, filched from Limerick’s grasp in lost time. It may prove useful later in the campaign, but for now we’re really more interested in what was learnt during the preceding 90 minutes, rather than preventing the concession of full points to Joe McKenna’s charges.

The starting 15 last Sunday showed no fear of experimentation on the management’s behalf anyway. Declan Fanning, whose optimum position is at centre half back, found himself a new position at corner back, and confined Mark Keane to points from frees. Conor O’Mahoney manned the no. 6 slot, facing newcomer Neil Collins, and garnered positive reviews for a clever, solid performance. He also notched 3 points from 65s, increasing the options for long-range placed balls. Beside him was Liam England, better known as a footballer of repute, but a club stalwart for Roscrea for some time now.

At midfield Niall Curran, outstanding at full back for Tipp footballers in their memorable Tommy Murphy Cup victory last year, and Eoin Brislane formed a novel partnership. The Mullinahone man was making his debut at this level, though his colleague had featured in league and championship for the senior hurlers back in the annus horriblis which was 2003. Ger O’Grady captained the side from wing forward, while Ballinahinch’s Shane McGrath, a tidy, exciting young player, debuted on the other side. At full forward Toome’s John O’Brien made his first appearance in a Tipp senior jersey since the 2003 NHL, doing well with limited supply. The full forward line also contained Séamus Butler, an absentee from the 2005 championship squad, and Benny Dunne in yet another role.

Substitutes introduced included Knockavilla’s Damien McGrath, who grasped his opportunity with aplomb, Drom’s James Woodlock who displayed plenty of energy and verve, and belatedly Johnny Enright, who first graced the NHL back in 1997, the year the calendar year league format was introduced for the first time.

Unsurprisingly not all of these will have fond memories of last Sunday’s game, but such are the slings and arrows of the intercounty game. Certainly these selection choices showed a willingness to try something different, and maybe shine new light through old windows. Babs’ emphasis on teamwork, and every ball having a message seemed evident, especially in the play of Redser and John O’Brien, men who’ve often been criticised for an eagerness to shoot on sight in the past. The optimum formation of the half forward line, a source of much debate in recent years, continues to puzzle, and Babs will know that he was lucky in his previous time as Tipp senior manager with the options he had for this troublesome area.

The current management team are fortunate in that they have inherited some fine raw material from the previous regime. Men such as Declan Fanning, Diarmuid Fitzgerald, Conor O’Mahoney, Micheal Webster, Hugh Maloney, Colin Morrissey & Eamonn Buckley were all unearthed and nurtured during Ken Hogan’s tenure, and this should not be forgotten either. A quick glance at the list of current senior hurling panellists on the official Tipp GAA website shows that the number remaining from the successful 2001 squad has shrunken considerably since last year, a sure sign that the old order moveth on. In this regard it’s heartening to hear of the possible continued involvement of Tommy Dunne in 2006. Babs still feels he has something to offer, an opinion I’d concur with, especially in light of his scoring contribution from play for Tipp in last year’s championship, which was bettered only by Eoin Kelly. Always a useful weapon to have in the armoury, think of the excellent use Wexford made of old soldier Billy Byrne during the final years of his career, and you’ll see what I mean.

One hope I’d have for the current season is a bit of good fortune on the injury front. Since we entered the new millennium not a season has elapsed without the loss of a key player through injury during the championship. Some times we coped, other times the loss proved disastrous. Certainly Mick Doyle & Ken Hogan experienced cruel luck during their respective tenures in this regard; Nicky English at least managed to reach the Holy Grail despite the loss of John Leahy (and later Brian O’Meara, though in fairness his suspension was correctly applied within existing GAA rules), though one will always wonder how the 2000 Munster Final would have transpired had Declan Ryan been able to play. Babs seems eager to have adequate cover for all the pivotal positions, something which every team manager should aspire to, but doesn’t always achieve.

Anyhow, back to the present. Next Sunday sees the visit of the Noresiders to Semple Stadium. Historically Tipp hurlers were measured as to how they matched up against Cork & Kilkenny, a practice which certainly prevailed in Nicky English’s time as manager, as those who were present in Nowlan Park on an inclement day in April 2001 can attest. Both sides may be team-building at the moment, and not all of the powerful artillery may be on show, but the clash will be compelling nonetheless. We need to see where we’re going, and having received 3 terrible routs from Kilkenny in Minor, U21 & Senior championship in recent years, would like to see signs of progress. The first home game of the new regime is nearly always a crowdpuller, Sunday should be no different.