Must win game for Minors
CLARE v TIPPERARY
Cusack Park, Ennis
Sunday 2nd June
Throw-in @ 2.00pm
Referee: Simon Stokes (Cork)
Tipperary's minor hurlers are in must-win mode as they head to Ennis on Sunday to face Clare in round 3 of the Munster Championship.
Unlike the senior championship where third place provides passage to the All Ireland Series, in minor it is just the top two teams that reach the provincial final that play on into July and possibly August.
While Tipperary rebounded well from their twelve point loss to Cork in round one by defeating Waterford by three in round two, a loss to Clare would take the fate of the Premier County out of their own hands, as they would then be two points behind Clare with only one game left to go, plus they would lose out to the Banner county on the head to head.
Clare's only game so far saw was a 0-17 to 0-15 win over Waterford at Walsh Park and with Tipp having beaten the Deise by three, it suggests a tight contest will be in store.
With Limerick drawing with Cork in the second round, it suggests the Shannonsiders will be a tough nut to crack in Tipp's final game on June 16th, and they would be expected to beat Waterford in their second game on Sunday also.
So the pressure is on Tipperary in a major way and they face a massive test at Cusack Park but if they were to come through it with flying colours, it would be a massive confidence boost for what is still a relatively young panel at this level and each big match experience does wonders for player development.