New players will benefit from exposure in games like this - Cahill

By Shane Brophy

Tipperary manager Liam Cahill admitted his disappointment at losing once again to Limerick was softened by his side competing well and that the players can take a lot from the game.

“I’m disappointed not to win the match,” he began.

“In general, a good performance to build on, we are all trying to put these building blocks in place to get a really good competitive squad together for championship.

“Today was a brilliant day for a lot of our younger members, especially young Robert Doyle, Darragh McCarthy and Darragh Stakelum, I know who was there last year but hadn't much experience or exposure to the ferocity that was today. It was a big step up in class, really delighted with the way those players performed.”

While Limerick were missing some of their marquee names, their system of play remains the same and so did their tendency to make adjustments at half-time as they once again won another second half against Tipperary who were one point leaders at half time.

“Last year our concern was that we weren't seeing out matches but I thought today we showed good resilience, good levels of fitness to stay in the fight right up to the end,” Cahill added.

“Our hurling today at times was probably not as sharp as Limerick. Limerick had a very strong conversion rate, had they maybe five or six wides in the whole game, we were into double digits. That would be an area we would have to go after.

“But again, Limerick's big players hurt us, Cian Lynch pulled all the strings again in the middle, that's what good teams do. We have to stay working hard now to close that gap.”

Tipperary failed to score from play in the final thirty minutes of match time as they were outscored 0-24 to 1-14 overall, with their use of the ball not as effective as the game went on as fatigue in the body impacted decision making in the minds.

Cahill added: “It’s a pure war zone out there around 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12. Our energy levels did probably drop in that area definitely towards the middle of the second half.

“But I still think we created one or two goal chances that had we capitalized on would have probably enticed the Limerick backs to sit back that little bit deeper. They’re together a long time that Limerick team. They know one another’s traits inside out. They work really well in tandem together.

“We’re starting to put our pieces together in that regard. I think today’s game will stand us in really good stead.

One player to make his mark in the game and announce himself to a national audience was Seanie Kenneally whose outstanding finish for his goal and a 1-3 contribution from play shows the potential the Moneygall sharpshooter has.

“Seánie Kenneally is a serious marksman, isn’t he?” Cahill agreed.

“He’s shown that with his club and underage with Tipperary. You love to see that, that’s what our game is about. I don’t think he took a touch to the hurley at all, just first time into the back of the net. We need to find these type of players now as we move and Seánie is definitely one of those players that we can look to the future with.”

After three games in fourteen days to start the league campaign, with two wins under their belt, Tipperary get a chance to reflect and recharge before resuming against great rivals Cork at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday week with the focus remaining on creating more depth to the panel.

“It’s the Seanie Kenneally’s, the Darragh McCarthys, Robert Doyle, and one or two others who have played in rounds one and two; we have to give them more exposure to a formidable Cork team that will come to Thurles in two weeks’ time, and we’ll learn more about our squad again,” Cahill said.

“I’m very happy with where they are, the boys are in great form, everybody is working really really hard, the players in particular, the management, the coaches and the county board are all fully aligned on where we’re going.

“To be fair in the first block of this league there have been some green shoots. We just have to continue to keep them blossoming as we head into the rest of the league.”