Callanan back firing as Tipp off to winning start
Limerick 2-17
Tipperary 4-14
By Shane Brophy at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
New eras have to begin some way and last Friday couldn't have gone much better for Liam Sheedy whose second term as Tipperary senior hurling manager got off to a winning start against Limerick in the opening round of the Coop Superstores Munster Hurling League.
A victory at the home of the All Ireland champions who started with eight of the side that began in that Croke Park final last August, even in the middle of December, is a good base to start from in terms of Tipperary's rehabilitation into being a championship force once again 2019.
While the win wasn't overly important, it is a good habit to start developing as quickly as possible and it does virtually guarantee Tipperary progression to the final (bar a major hiccup against Kerry on January 5th) on January 12-13, and another welcome test against Clare, Cork or Waterford just two weeks out from the start of the National League.
After a month of intensive training, one wondered what shape Tipperary would be in for this stiff test and with just over 20 players from the 39 man panel available, Liam Sheedy will have been pleased with what he saw in terms of effort.
Effort was the only thing that you could judge Tipperary on in this game, seeing what guys were prepared to roll up their sleeves two weekends before Christmas, with the conditions being quite good and provided decent fare for the 3,224 who paid into the Gaelic Grounds, even including the 29 wides shot by both sides, Tipp shading it with sixteen.
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