Power proud and frustrated after late draw

By Liam Hogan

Tipperary manager David Power didn’t hide his feelings after last Sunday’s Allianz Football League draw in Longford.

Power had just watched his side held in a game where at one stage they were in a five-point lead. When the players had left the field, David was still on the grass talking to his mentors and other members of the backroom team re-counting what might have been.

He admitted that Tipp should have held on. His team need a break as they came into Pearse Park hoping to win their first league points. He felt the referee was harsh in the closing stages while admitting they are under tremendous strain coming into the game.

“I am very proud of our lads,” he began.

“We showed real heart in the second half.

“We have been in a dark place the last couple of weeks, our confidence was really down to the floor, but the lads really dug in.

“We probably should have seen it out to be honest. We had other opportunities where we should have really nailed them.

“Look it’s a step forward but I would not have been happy with the first half when we were too slow and too lateral. That comes from a team that is lacking confidence as well.

He added: “We told them at half time we have absolutely nothing to lose. We said they would have to have a go at this and by God they did. We scored a great goal and some great points as well. Look, we are frustrated that we didn’t get the two points.”

What was said at half time because the team set up three or four chances early in the second half?

“We were more direct, and we used the width of the pitch and Longford struggled with that,” Power revealed.

“I felt the type of ball going into the full forward line came in too low.

“To be fair Longford upped their game near the end but I would have to say with the help of the referee. My God! Some of the decisions there near the end have to be questionable.

“But in saying that, our discipline let us down a few times. There were two frees that we gave up because we were mouthing back at the referee and that is not good enough. But how the Kevin Fahey free wasn’t given at the end is incredible.”

And the overturned 45, which if scored would have put Tipp four in front?

“I don’t know why the 45 was overturned, it’s a new one on me,” added the Tipp manager.

“I don’t want to be giving out about referees. We were both fighting to avoid relegation. The two league points was vital to either team, but we must build on this. We always found it very hard going up to Longford and this was a positive result, and we must build on it now for next Sunday.”

Speaking of next Sunday, Tipp take on Fermanagh in Ederney hoping to build on this draw in their battle against the drop.

“We have nothing to fear,” Power added.

“I know Fermanagh have a habit of getting last minute goals but we were very competitive against Down who should have beaten Fermanagh but we must build on today’s performance.

“Mikey O’Shea could not play today because of a hamstring. We hope he will be okay for next Sunday. Steven O’Brien will probably be fit for the Offaly game while Conal Kennedy will be struggling for the league. Mark Russell was sick last week and is still feeling the effects of it but the twenty minutes he got today will probably do him good and hopefully we can get more game time into him next day. Our twenty-six looked a lot stronger today.

“Morale is good in training. We had thirty-six training last Tuesday and again on Thursday. The work they are putting in is unbelievable. We are down a few key players, but we are developing and its crucial to stay in division three and develop from there.”