Power remains bullish ahead of Tailteann Cup

By Liam Hogan

Facing the press after any defeat is difficult but meeting them after a big defeat is the hardest. However, Tipperary manager David Power began by suggesting he was happy with the way his players played, despite the twenty-point defeat to Kerry.

It was always going to be a tough assignment for a team who were relegated in the league and then had to travel to Killarney and take on the All-Ireland champions.

“We were coming down to face the All-Ireland champions. They had twelve of the team that started the final and they didn’t bring on the five substitutions until the last fifteen minutes,” Power began.

“In the first ten minutes we kept Kerry at bay. We were playing two sweepers. That is the way we were playing. Okay, weren’t like playing offensive football but needs must. We didn’t want to be conceding goals and we succeeded. Yes, the last ten minutes I would be disappointed as we coughed up some soft scores and I would say we missed a few chances as well.

“Shane O’Connell did a great job in keeping David Clifford scoreless from play. He did the same in Semple Stadium a few years ago. Kerry have so many good forwards like Seanie O’Shea and Paudie Clifford as well as the players that came off the bench that want to be on the team as well.

“This game was always going to be tough for us especially where we are coming from and now, we can go on and build up for the Tailteann Cup.”

The Kilsheelan/Kilcash clubman added said that his team is coming together after a spate of injuries spoiled his team’s chances of surviving in Division 3 but is optimistic they can make their mark in the second Tailteann Cup.

“I said at the outset before the Waterford game it really was the Tailteann Cup for us,” Power stressed.

“We are getting the bodies back and they are getting game time. If we had Steven O’Brien on for the league, we would be in a different position.”

“I think the way the championship is going like with the Sam Maguire and the Tailteann Cup, there is always going to be question marks over the provincial championships. Whether its seeded or open draw it makes no difference. Look, if Kerry were in the Connacht or Ulster championships, they would do the same to those teams like they did to us today.”