Tipperary minor hurling manager Liam Cahill.
Sunday August 14
Electric Ireland MHC Semi-Final
**Tipperary v Galway, Croke Park, 1.30pm **
By Cian O'Connell
By the end of the Munster MHC Tipperary were convincing winners. In April, though, Tipperary suffered a provincial loss against Waterford at Walsh Park so manager Liam Cahill is encouraged by how his promising team have responded.
“We were delighted to win the Munster Championship - it was a tough campaign for us after we were beaten in Walsh Park against Waterford in April,” Cahill admits.
“Since that loss the lads showed great composure and they worked very hard to pick themselves up. That was very satisfying for us.”
Subsequent successes over Clare, Cork, and Limerick ensure Tipperary enter Sunday’s All Ireland semi-final against holders Galway hopeful about making an impact.
Galway’s panel is well stocked with panelists from the 2015 winning side which is a significant factor according to Cahill. “It is going to be a very tough game now against Galway - we are under no illusions going to Dublin this weekend.
“Galway are traditionally very strong as minors and they never seem to have any problem performing at Croke Park. We know that and we are preparing for the challenge.
“They also have the added bonus of so many guys that were involved last year having experienced playing at Croke Park. They will be primed for this game and they are experienced at this level.
“Maybe in a way Jeffrey Lynskey’s team came and delivered a year earlier than anticipated. We know they are a particularly strong outfit, but that is something we will just have to deal with. If we perform the way that we know we can I feel that we will have a chance.”
Three months ago Tipperary left Walsh Park worrying and wondering about the rest of the year. Cahill is thrilled by Tipp’s gutsy reaction. “The one thing about defeat and any experienced player or manager would say the same is that you seem to learn more about yourself.
“For sure we learned a bit in Walsh Park especially that our work rate wasn’t good enough. In fairness to the players they addressed that.”
