Win or bust for Tipp against Wexford

Tipperary find themselves in a similar scenario to twelve months ago as the head into their final group game in the Tailteann Cup pointless.

TIPPERARY v WEXFORD

Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow

Saturday, 1st June

Throw-in @ 3.30pm

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)

By Shane Brophy

They still have a chance of progressing to the knockout stage but not only will they have to beat Wexford in Carlow this Saturday, they will have to do so with a decent margin of victory. However, considering they were well beaten by the Slaneysiders in the league, Tipp will be up against getting a result on current form.

Each of the group winners will progress to the quarter finals with the second and third placed teams meeting in preliminary quarter finals. However, the worst ranked third place team will be eliminated to allow for the entry of New York into the competition.

If Tipperary were to record a win, their score difference is currently weak at -21, particularly with Longford expected to win and improve theirs massively against Waterford. In group 2, Carlow play Wicklow in their final game and a winner would also be expected to progress, while bar a heavy loss for either, London and Limerick should progress from group 4.

However, the only thing Tipperary can focus on is getting a result and at least trying to end the campaign on a high if next Saturday is their final game of the season.

The poor performance last time out to Sligo left everyone frustrated considering they performed well in the loss to Antrim. That lack of consistency has been frustrating, as well as injury with captain Steven O’Brien unable to feature against Sligo.

Tipp played an open style against Antrim which got the best from them but against Sligo they tried to play with a mass defence but were too easily broken through by an athletically powerful Sligo side.

Wexford are also a side that don’t lack pace as manager Paul Kelly will know from their league clash in March and knowing what is coming and setting up accordingly might give Tipperary a chance.