Bill Maher gets away from Niall Holly. Photograph: Bridget Delaney

Tipp aiming for more good luck on the road

 

By Shane Brophy & Coilin Duffy

DERRY v TIPPERARY
Celtic Park, Derry
Sunday 9th February
Throw-in @ 1.00pm
Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo)

Tipperary's busy start to the National League continues next Sunday when they make the long trip to Derry for this round 3 clash.

It will be Tipperary's first trip to Derry in over a decade that will revive memories of the 2016 All Ireland qualifier between the sides in Cavan which Tipperary edged 1-21 to 2-17, kick-starting their run to the All Ireland semi-final.

 

One of the key players in that victory was Robbie Kiely and Tipperary manager David Power confirmed after last Sunday’s victory over Louth, that the Carbery Rangers clubman is set to be in the mix to face the Oakleafers this weekend after the centre back was forced to sit out the game through injury.


“We would be hopeful (about Robbie)”, Power said following the win over Louth.
“He will be touch-and-go for next weekend’s game against Derry.”


Speaking about the Oakleafers, Power says they’ll be keen to bounce back, after losing to fellow Ulster-side Down last weekend.
“Derry were in Division 4 for a reason. They had a disappointing result against Down, so they will be eager to get a win against us,” he said.


“I would definitely say that we are capable of winning every game. In every game we play we have a chance and that’s a crucial thing.”


Having earned their first competitive win in almost a year last Sunday, Tipperary will make the long trek North in confidence and that they tend to perform better away from home, Owenbeg will hold no fears for them.


They should be able to play with an element of freedom with the weight of a losing run off their backs and they'd hope to get off to a positive start and take advantage of Derry coming in under pressure having taken just one point from their opening two games, coming in a draw in their opening game at home to Leitrim where they needed two late points to earn a point.


They followed that up with a 0-14 to 0-12 defeat to Down in a game they led for long spells but conceded the last three points to leave Newry with nothing.


With former Fermanagh manager Rory Gallagher at the helm, Tipperary will be well prepared for what they will face from Derry who play a similar style of game to Down whom Tipp drew with in round 1.


With both sides keen to get men behind the ball and hit teams in the counter-attack, it is unlikely to be a high-scoring game as Tipperary's strength at the moment is in defence but they'd hope to gradually improve their attacking output and certainly the impact off the bench of Alan Moloney and Kevin O'Halloran against Louth with give the management food for thought when they sit down to pick the starting line-up later this week.


A win for Tipperary would all but guarantee their division 3 status going into their last four games and from where they can look upwards and change their focus to a promotion push.