From Salthill to Spain for Tipperary

 

By Shane Brophy

Tipperary will head from the seaside of Galway to seaside of Spain next week following their Allianz Hurling League clash with Galway on Sunday.

For the second year in a row, the team will head to warmer climbs for a four-day training camp beginning next Monday and arriving back the following Friday, two days before a possible league quarter final.

If they fail to beat Galway on Sunday in their rearranged encounter, the pressure to be fit and firing for a game against Kilkenny or Wexford will be rendered mute but according to manager Liam Sheedy, they'll be going to Pearse Stadium on Sunday with the intent of winning and reaching the knockout stages.

“I don’t think any game on March 8 is a huge game but look it’s a knock-out game and what I would probably consider a preliminary quarter-final,” he said following last Sunday's far from convincing performance in the victory over Waterford.

“For us, it’s great to have that level of competition. I don’t think any of us would look forward to Salthill if we had nothing to play for. Tipp and Galway is always a good sporting occasion and I think next Sunday will be no different.”

After the game, Tipp will head for the airport and that training camp with a trimmed panel of 35 after seven players were let go last week, namely goalkeeper Paul Maher, defenders Jamie Moloney, Killian O'Dwyer and Tom Fox, midfielder Conor Hammersley, as well as Toomevara duo Jason Ryan and Mark McCarthy, and Liam Sheedy thanked those players for their contribution.

"In fairness the lads had given us absolutely everything,” he said.
 

To read more, pick up a copy of this weeks Nenagh Guardian.